Once elections are held the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) may wish to begin addressing chess for the Essequibo coast in a regulated format.
One decade ago, I accompanied then Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony to Anna Regina seeking to carry chess to schools in Essequibo. The turnout was pleasant and encouraging. The appetite for playing chess in Essequibo was whetted since then. The GCF should move to fulfil the desire of the young and inexperienced in that county to play chess It is necessary to take chess beyond the boundaries of George-town and its environs. I have said it time and again, widening the game is the only way we can create notable chess players and by extension international recognition.
For a number of years India boasted one international master (IM) Manuel Aaron. The nation popularized chess in schools and carried it to the outlying regions. Two-plus decades after Aaron got the coveted IM title in 1961, India produced an extraordinary grandmaster in Viswanathan Anand. He went on to win the world championship title and is still active. Today, India is recognized as being the fastest producer of grandmasters worldwide. Some of our young chess players have an Indian IM as their international coach.
As a matter of priority, chess has to be developed in Essequibo. In the meantime, Berbice’s progress with chess seems to be satisfactory. I trust that the people who assume positions in the Executive Committee of the GCF this year would be prepared to rise to the challenge of promoting chess.
Chess Game
White: Fabiano Carian
Black: Alireza Firouzja
Place and Date: Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.
January, 2020
Type of Game: King’s Indian Defence,
Makagonoy Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 Nc6 7.d5 Ne5 8.f4 Ned7 9.g4 c6 10.Nf3 cxd5 11.cxd5 b6 12.Nd4 Nc5 13.Qf3 Bb7 14.g5 Nfxe4 15.Nxe4 Bxd5 16.Nf6+ exf6 17.Qxd5 Re8 18.Nc2 fxg5 19.O-O-O gxf4 20.Bd4 Bxd4 21.Qxd4 Ne6 22.Qd2 Qf6 23.Kb1 Rac8 24.Bb5 Red8 25.Nb4 d5 26.Rhf1 Rc5 27.a4 d4 28.Nd3 Rf5 29.Rf3 g5 30.Rg1 Kf8 31.h4 h6 32.hxg5 hxg5 33.Rh3 f3 34.Bc4 Ke7 35.Bxe6 Kxe6 36.Qh2 f2 37.Rf1 Kd7 38.Rh6 Qe7 39.Rxf2 Rxf2 40.Qxf2 Kc8 41.a5 bxa5 42.Qc2+ Kb8 43.Nc5 Rd6 44.Rh8+ Rd8 45.Qb3+ Kc7 46.Qb7+ Kd6 47.Rh6+ f6 48.Ne4+1-0 . Black resigns.
