Chessplayers Marcia Lee and Yolander Persaud, who have demonstrated an aptitude for assiduousness, were elected on Monday last as directors of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF). Lee is the chess instructor at Marian Academy and Persaud is an attorney-at-law who holds a seat on the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and is the first Guyanese to have acquired this honour.
The other members of the executive committee of the GCF for the period 2022 to 2024 are Frankie Farley – president; Anand Raghunauth – vice president and director; Loris Nathoo – director; Irshad Mohamed – director and Davion Mars – director. Three additional directors, Gomathinayagan Subramanian, Taffin Khan and Nellisha Johnson, are to be appointed when the GCF meets formally.
The new board will also appoint the following heads of committees: John Lee – development; Nathoo – fundraising; Mohamed – tournaments; Sabine Macintosh – differently-abled; Raghunauth – chess-in-schools; Andre Jagnandan – youth; Petal Dodson – events; and Marcia Lee – women and girls’ affairs. Jessica Callender will be the PRO.
Meanwhile, 11-year-old Anaya Lall is representing Guyana at the online World Chess Championship for people with disabilities, which began on November 4 and ends on November 11. FIDE has quoted Anaya as saying: “I would like to have a very successful experience in my first disability tournament!” She is one of the youngest participants.
2022 promises to be a fulfilling year for local and international chess as a return to over-the-board tournaments and matches for all nations is anticipated.
