Re-migrant businessman Frankie Farley captured a majority of the votes in last Sunday’s Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) election and is now the new president of the organisation. Farley defeated attorney James Bond, who had led the GCF for the past two years.
During his two-year tenure, Bond achieved much. Guyana was able to secure a FIDE Master (the qualification prior to becoming an International Master) in GTT’s Anthony Drayton, as well as a seat on the Ethics Committee of the World Chess Federation in chess player and attorney Yolander Persaud. Guyana was also exposed to the elaborate Chess Olympiad and the GCF hosted local tournaments.
So, how did Bond lose his portfolio as president? A major criticism of Bond’s tenure was that because he was securely locked to his profession as an attorney, he could not spare the time to engage chess fully. For example, when the Berbice Chess Association was established, Bond was unable to attend. Farley represented him and subsequently maintained a vigorous relationship with the Berbicians.