NOT even the heavy showers which forced the cancellation of numerous sporting activities over the last weekend could have prevented the executives of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) from showcasing a smiling face, as action in their Trophy Stall-sponsored Swiss System tournament got under way at Kei-shar’s Sports Club. Senior national champion Taffin Khan and his junior counterpart Sue Hai-Feng and former junior champion Cecil Cox were among the list of competitors who braved the showers and turned up for the first day of the tournament which saw only one round being played.
Khan met Cox in his first round match and, playing with the white pieces, started his game with the Reti Opening to which Cox encountered difficulties early, resulting in his committing a series of blunders which saw him lose his queen and subsequently the match after being forced to resign.
Eight players, including Khan and Hai-Feng won their first round matches, while two secured draws, as the GCF was forced to abandon the playing of the second round, due to the weather.
In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, president of the GCF Shiv Nandalall said he was pleased with the start of the tournament which is being played over seven rounds instead of six.
“The tournament is off to a good start, despite the weather and the heavy presence of the junior players. We have some senior players in Khan, Frankie Farley and the lone female for the senior category Maria Thomas competing, while the junior players are heavily present.”
Nandalall said the GCF will be capitalising on the public holiday which is next Monday, by playing rounds two and three on Saturday, followed by four and five on Sunday culminating with six and seven the following day.