Over the board chess will make its long awaited return to the local scene when the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) stages the ‘Gaico’ Grand Prix’ Saturday from 9:00am.
According to a release from the federation, the four-day event will continue March 20th, 26th, and 27th with the National Stadium, Providence, the venue.
“A total of eight rounds will be played throughout the tourney with classic matches of 90 minutes + 30 seconds added to each players’ clock after every move. This four-day tournament will be the first of four to be held throughout the year and will aid in the selection of a local team to compete in the FIDE Olympiad later this year,” the federation’s release stated.
The FIDE Chess Olympiad usually contested by nearly 200 countries, was to be held from July 26th to August 8th in Moscow, Russia but was removed from the host country due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is now going to be hosted by the All India Chess Federation in Chennai, India, stated the GCF.
Interested players must register before 5:00pm tomorrow on guyanachess.org website. They are also required to pay an entrance fee of $GYD2000. The competition will be supervised by FIDE-arbiters John Lee and Anand Raghunauth.
Among the senior players expected to compete are Anthony Drayton, Loris Nathoo, Davion Mars, and Adrian Roopnarine while Jessica Callender and Ethan Lee will feature in the junior section.
The first prize is $15,000 with $10,000 and $5000 for the second and third place finishers respectively.
Medals will also be presented to the players finishing from 4th-10th position.
A trophy will be awarded to the best female player in the event, while accolades will also be presented to the top male and female junior players.
“The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to express its gratitude to Gaico Construction and General Services Inc., for their generous sponsorship of the four Grand Prix tournaments,” the release added.
