The Gaico Grand Prix chess tournament was a fulfilling one, taking into consideration its turnout, the distribution of grand prix points, the prizes and the promise of Olympiad favour. Ten of the competitors were recipients of the coveted grand prix points.
Leading the charge was previous national champion Wendell Meusa, who played unbeaten in the competition. He garnered 20 points for his first-place victory followed by Taffin Khan and Loris Nathoo. Meusa’s only real challenge emanated from the mind of Glenford Corlette who secured a draw.
It would appear, therefore, that Meusa chose not to compete in the 2019 National Chess Championship. His lack of appearance seemed not to be because he was timid or nervous of seasoned competition, but because he was not inclined to compete for his own personal reasons.
The points system has generated a new and substantial phenomenon in Guyana’s chess. I believe mobility will be accelerated. But we will have to wait and savour the taste of the pudding at the 2020 Olympiad where the entire world would be witnesses.
Excelling at chess is not an overnight thing. It takes years and years to create an international superstar. But the grand prix contests would give us a start in relation to fairness, and when there is fairness, a society gets moving.
