By Michelangelo Jacobus
The inaugural CARICOM Classic Chess tournament was launched last evening, albeit over half an hour late, with an opening ceremony at the Ramada Hotel in Providence.
Attendees were treated to a ceremony where Guyana’s pristine culture was on display through a variety of dances, a steel pan solo, as well as a touching skit from special needs students of the David Rose Special School and a classic musical performance from junior chess player Alexander Zhang on the piano.
In attendance were representatives and players from the various CARICOM nations, along with Guyana’s Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., CARICOM Deputy Secretary General Dr. Armstrong Alexis, and special guest FIDE Deputy President and Grand Master Viswanathan Anand from India, who all delivered remarks.