Kriskal Persaud, a former national junior and senior chess champion of Guyana, won last Sunday’s Berbice Open Chess Tournament without dropping a game.
Persaud, facing a contingent from Georgetown which included Frankie Farley, Errol Tiwari, Loris Nathoo and Shiv Nandalall, played unbeaten. The tournament was held at the University of Guyana Tain Campus through the collaboration of Professor Gomathi-nayagam Subramanian, who is also Vice-Presi-dent of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF).
Nathoo placed second in the Tournament with GCF President Farley, and Shiv Nandalall in third and fourth places. The sponsor determined that a special prize should be given to the Best Junior Player from Berbice and this was won by Darwin London. The London brothers, Darwin and Marley, were accompanied by their father, John London. The other prize winner was 21-year-old Jacob Nauth, who is also from Berbice.
Chess, it seems, is on the rise in Berbice. It may be worthwhile, therefore, for the GCF to consider rendering some assistance with transportation when there is an important chess tournament being played in Georgetown. For example, when there is an exclusive Grand Prix tournament or when the preliminaries for the National Championships are being played. Such a move can be supported by sponsors. Berbice business A Ally and Sons sponsored Sunday’s event with trophies and cash.
It may be the only way to get Berbice fully involved in chess in Guyana. Berbice has convincing chess talent, and the GCF has to understand this. It may be the only way for the nation to begin sprinting and cease limping along moderately in the royal and esteemed game. Committee member of the GCF Steve Leung, from Berbice, is a strong player. Although he did not win a prize, this column would not be complete if special mention were not made of him. I trust something could be done to facilitate participation by Berbicians in GCF tournaments in Georgetown.
