Priorities for chess over the next 12 months

Playing chess and administering chess are unequivocally two separate aspects of the brilliant mind game. The two are unconnected and each has its special purpose. Frankie Farley, the new president of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), is an able chess player, ranking just below the cream of the crop of current, local, competitive chess advocates. He has a splendid opportunity to show his hand now that he is in the driver’s seat.

One cannot expect much in a 12-month timeframe, which is the designated period until fresh elections are called. But Farley can demonstrate to the chess populace that he means business in whatever aspect he embraces. In order of priority, I would respectfully suggest increasing the promotion of chess in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo; the return of the National Schools Championship and attendance at the 2020 Chess Olympiad. By any stretch of the imagination, this amounts to a very tall order but we have to try.

It is my considered opinion that expanding the promotion of chess is the most important aspect of activities for the GCF in 2019-2020 or any other year for that matter. Chess enjoys a modicum of popularity in Region Four, principally because of Stabroek News’ inputs. How glorious it would be if we could spread the game to Berbice and Essequibo in a structured, meaningful and robust fashion? Chess is played in Bartica and Linden, but the GCF may need to ascertain what exactly is happening in those communities. Chess is also played in Orealla and that community fielded a team at the last Berbice Schools Championship. Where Essequibo is concerned, I focussed on chess in Anna Regina some years ago in the company Dr Frank Anthony, the former minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. The GCF may wish to revisit the Essequibo Coast to determine the requirements and to render the necessary assistance. We have to get chess moving in Essequibo.  

This aspect of chess is of vital importance. We have to create and colour the minds of our little ones through the cerebral game. A previous president of the GCF, Shiv Nandalall, reminded me that Anthony Drayton, Guyana’s only FIDE Master, is a product of the schools championship. A while ago, Berbice announced its interest in the schools’ championship through Krishnanand Raghunandan. It was little wonder that a student from Orealla, Nellisha Johnson, made it to the Chess Olympiad in Europe last year. If we wish chess to fly high, Farley has to reorganise the National Schools Championship. 

Lastly, it is incumbent on the GCF to provide the wherewithal for the men and women’s teams to participate in the Chess Olympiad. It is seriously necessary. We have to match our skills with other competitors of the Olympiad. The wider world will be watching. Also, participating in the Olympiad is one of the quickest ways of achieving grandmaster stardom. Guyana has gone international now. We have to make it to the Olympiad.