While the senior national players prepare for the 43rd World Chess Olympiad, local junior chess players are set to return to the chess boards and push chess pieces next week, from July 31 to August 3, 2018, as the Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation host another Kids Chess Tournament.
This is will be the first time the top five ranked by the Guyana Chess Federation Junior Players are set to face each other since the National Junior Chess Championship last February.
Registered already for this event are Guyana National Junior Chess Champion Joshua Gopaul, Runner Up Ghansham Ameer Allijohn, and 3rd place finisher Jaden Taylor all of St. Stanislaus College. However, they will have to beat the in-form 4th place finisher of this year National Junior Chess Championship and Marian/St. Stanislaus Champion Ethan Lee. Marian will be represented by Odit Rodrigues, Jonathan Stepheny, Andrew Ali and young Ronan Lee as well.
Also, set to fight amongst these lads is Queen’s College Rajiv Lee who is being trained personally by Anthony Drayton who just secured his FIDE Master title at Sub-Zonals 2.3.5 held in Kingston, Jamaica last June. Young females such St. Stanislaus student Jessica Calender has registered as well and new-bee Angel Rahim of St. Joseph High are expected to turn out.
Other players such as 12 years old Alia (Harrison College) and 8 years Asher Gafoor (St. Angela’s Primary) from Barbados have confirmed participation along with 10 years old Rashad Gilgeous who resides in U.S.A and his brother Kyle Gilgeous, Kaiden and Jibril Ali, 9 year old Triston Singh and 8 years old Arysh Raghunauth of Mae’s School, Primary Department. The tournament will be held in two (2) categories Beginner and Intermediate Players Sections.
One aim of the organizers for this tournament is to register local junior players with the World Chess Federation (FIDE) through the Guyana Chess Federation where they can gain regional and international recognition after obtaining their FIDE ID and ratings. Registration is USD $5.00 (GYD$1,000) and is open to other junior chess players under the age of 20. Time control is 1hr + 30 mins per player, seven (7) rounds Swiss Format. The first pawn will be pushed at 9;30 am at the American University of Peace Studies, lot 135 Sheriff & Forth St. Campbellville, Georgetown, Guyana. Interested person can contact Mr. Meusa at 664 – 0124.
While our Junior players battle locally, Guyana is currently being represented at this year’s Caribbean and Central America (C.A.C) Women’s Chess Championship being held at All Seasons Resort, St. James, Barbados by 12 year old Chelsea Juma of St. Stanislaus College and 14 year old Sasha Shariff of Marian Academy. These girls will be aiming to may a mark in chess history regionally while they aim to secure FIDE (World Chess Federation) ratings, ID and rankings. Even though these young lads represented at Carifta Chess Championship held in Paramaribo, Suriname, this is set as a preparation tournament for Sasha’s trip to the 43rd World Chess Olympiad and as an experience gaining opportunity for young Chelsea.