The finals are today
Today, we play the final round of the National Chess Championships. The Junior segment has already been won by West Demerara’s Taffin Khan, who has clearly demonstrated that he is operating at a higher level than the opposition which was thrown at him.
Among the seniors, however, the fight for first place is still raging, and perhaps will not be settled until the last endgame is played to a finish. Such has been the nature and intensity of the battles which have been conducted over the last four weeks. Throughout the tournament, only half a point separated the leaders (a win= one point; a draw= half a point and a loss is equal to 0 point).
The championships, in the collective view of the players, are felt to represent the most rigorous chess tournament which has been held since the game’s fulfilling Phoenix-rise rebirth two years ago. The enthusiasm to win is evident. The passion with which each player approaches his game is not hidden. And the seriousness of play should be admired. Players who drink alcohol, have, on quite a few occasions, refused to indulge on the evenings preceding the games the following day.
The most recent opening chess theory was displayed on the board, and even moves from the recent Anand-Kramnik world championship match were unleashed on players. When Greenidge defeated me in our first game, there was much amusement in the playing hall when Neil Khan enquired whether Greenidge had unleashed “a novelty,” meaning, playing a move that had never been seen before. Mankind’s wonder machine, the personal computer which has revolutionized the world, has lifted the levels of chess among players in Guyana. We can now access the identical information that grandmasters select to improve their games.
Last year’s champion, Kriskal Persaud, began the tournament in a less than a compelling manner, but quickly rebounded to become a serious contender for the title again. I guess the unsavoury notion of being abruptly dethroned after one year must have inspired Kriskal to reinvigorate himself and concentrate on his best chess. As the tournament progressed, former Guyana scholar Omar Sharif got stronger and more confident by the game. He lost quite a few winning positions due to time trouble. In the majority of instances he had a material advantage over his opponent. Nathoo experienced the same kind of difficulties, and at the time of writing, only Dennis Dillon had succeeded in taking a game from him.
There have been a number of persons who have contributed towards the successful hosting of the National Chess Championships by the Guyana Chess Federation. Telephone giant GT&T has contributed the first prize for the Seniors, while the Ramgopal family − Moti, Mahendra and Laleshwar, former chess players from Queen’s College and Guyana scholars also − has sponsored the entire Junior segment of the tournament. The federation wishes to say thanks to Mr Clinton Urling for providing the tasty lunches from German’s restaurant for the players, and undoubtedly adding some spice to our deliberations. DDL provided the sodas and Topco juices for players.
Managing Director of the Ocean Spray Hotel, Mr Shameer Mohamed, extended a golden hand to the federation by allowing us to use his facilities free of cost, as he did last year. Mr Stanford Solomon of King’s Plaza did the same, just as he also did last year, thereby allowing us to play at two pleasant and notable venues in the city. We are very pleased to have enjoyed these privileges.
Mr Shamdas Kirpalani, our Regent Street friend in the textile business, provided the cloth for our three banners, while Swiss House Cambio graciously consented to have them painted for us. The federation wishes to thank all of them and the others who have not been mentioned for the conduct of the National Championships.
The National Schools Chess Championships begins next Saturday at a venue to be announced. The format will be a nine round swiss, to be played in two categories. The stronger players will be placed in Category A while Category B will cater for those players who are not as yet versed in theory and who have not entered competitions previously. The tournament is sponsered by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and is open to students from all primary and secondary schools. Four games will be played this Saturday, and five the following Saturday, December 13, beinning at 10 am.
Further information can be obtained from members of the Guyana Chess Federation, and Tournament Director Irshad Mohamed on telephone 664-1650.
