‘I have always held the view that we must invest in our young people, and must be able to develop their potential and channel their youthful enthusiasm into productive ventures’ -President Bharrat Jagdeo.
These words are encouraging for the promotion of chess among our young people. And so far, Dr Frank Anthony, in tandem with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, has supported chess in a significant manner by stimulating a drive to teach chess in schools. The ministry has provided chess sets for some schools, and organised a training programme for teachers. Next year, the ministry will import additional chess sets for a wider distribution to schools.
The introduction of chess into the school system is critical for the development of our youths. Chess analysts argue that chess play develops general intelligence, self-control, analytical skills and an increased ability to concentrate. Students who play chess inevitably become high achievers. They become more critical thinkers, better problem-solvers and more independent decision-makers.
During World War II for example, some top chess players were also code-breakers. British chess masters Harry Golombek, Stuart Milner Barry and H O’D Alexander were part of the team which broke the Nazi Enigma Code and created a turnaround for the Allied forces in the war.
It is how the young think and what they think that count. Because what they think is what the future knows. Chess moulds our thought processes and deepens our thinking abilities, so that among the many choices at our disposal, we can make a prudent choice because we have been trained to think logically and objectively.
Getting someone to think in a constructive manner is just as important as giving that person the tools with which to work. It is better that you teach me to fish, than to give me a boatful of fishes.
A society is determined by the manner in which its inhabitants think. We all know the biblical saying, “As a man thinketh, so is he.” If the majority think constructively, we would have a constructive society. It is what the majority think and how the majority think that matter. Because the majority, ultimately, have the power.
Cardinal de Richelieu, First Minister of France from 1624 to 1642 and father of the modern state system, emphasized the importance of influencing a majority. He wrote in his Political Testament: “In matters of state, he who has the power often has the right; and he who is weak can only with difficulty keep from being wrong in the opinion of the majority of the world” – a maxim rarely contradicted in the intervening centuries.
Dr Anthony wants a Russian grandmaster to visit Guyana to teach us some tested methods of training for international competition. If the Minister is successful in his efforts, our first challenge would be to oppose Suriname next year in the battle of strategic thinking. Our next stop would be Venezuela, and this would present an enormous challenge for us. I do not believe that Venezuela has a grandmaster of chess, but the country has some very highly-ranked FIDE players.
If Guyana goes to the Chess Olympiad in November 2008 in Dresden, Germany, it might very well be paired with both of the neighbouring countries mentioned in the tournament. Immediately we see how serious a year 2008 would be for chess. Our development has to be rapid if we are to meaningfully represent this nation in the international arena. Germany is expecting 160 countries to participate in the Olympiad.
While the standard of play in the National Champion-ships was commendable, I do not believe it was exceptional. We have to train harder and work harder to improve our play. National Champion Kriskal Persaud won his games too easily against players who know the game, know theory and usually would give a good account of themselves over the chess board. We have to determine among ourselves what went wrong. I was stunned to see the ease with which Kriskal despatched his opponents.
Years ago when Kriskal was about 13 or 14, Guyana opposed Suriname in Paramaribo and Kriskal crushed both of his opponents playing in the adult category. He was the only Guyanese to win both of his games during that encounter.
Next year, the competition among chess players will be fierce. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. During the holidays, I am looking forward to playing two serious games with the winner of the third prize in the National Championships, Loris Nathoo, and the player who literally prevented me from winning the championship tournament, Shiv Nandalal .
Merry Christmas!
