In the first quarter of 2022, developments within the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) seem to be flourishing. In January, this column reported that in excess of 100 students aged seven to 15 years were benefiting from an online programme conducted by the GCF to learn and study the game of chess. Previously, it was noted that a 17-year-old defeated the world champion Magnus Carlsen and, therefore, it became worthwhile for Guyanese children to play chess at their earliest opportunities to do so.
Additionally, the GCF conducted its National Under-12 Rapid Championship. It was sponsored by De Sinco Trading Limited which contributed $150,000 for prizes. Towards the end of January, the New GPC Inc donated $100,000 to boost the Online Chess Education Programme. The donation enables a number of children to have access to Chesskid.com, the platform which is used by the GCF to introduce children to the game of chess.
In February, Vice-President of the GCF Anand Raghunauth attended a meeting in Mexico City and returned with a new concept of Hybrid Online Chess Tournaments for Guyana. Four countries will participate and each player will be FIDE-rated. Seasoned FIDE arbiters will supervise the tournaments.
Fund-raiser for the GCF Loris Nathoo formally introduced chess to Region Nine recently. JuLo’s Enterprises donated two elite tournament sized chess sets and a modern DGT chess clock to the students and teachers of St Ignatius Secondary School. The year has started well for chess and we anticipate its continuation.
Chess game
White: Alexander Grischuk
Black: Dmitry Andreikin
Event: FIDE Grand Prix Belgrade 2022, Belgrade, Serbia, March 1
Type of Game: Sicilian Defence, Paulsen Variation
1. e4c5 2. Nf3e6 3. d4cxd4 4. Nxd4Nc6 5. Nc3a6 6. Be3Nf6 7. a3d6 8. f4Qc7 9. Bd3Be7
10. O-OO-O 11. Kh1Re8 12. Qf3Bd7 13. Rae1Rac8 14. Qg3Nh5 15. Qf3g6 16. f5Ne5
17. Qh3Qd8 18. fxe6fxe6 19. Nxe6Qa5 20. Nd5Bd8 21. Bh6Qxe1 22. Rxe1Bxe6 23. Qe3Ng4 24. Qd2Nxh6 25. Be2Ng7 26. Rf1Nf7 27. Nf6+Bxf6 28. Rxf6Rc5 29. h3Nh5 30. Bxh5Rxh5
31. Qf2Re5 32. Qb6Re7 33. Rf4g5 34. Rf2Rxe4 35. b3Bd5. 0-1. White resigns.
