The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is working overtime to ensure a successful hosting of the prestigious Umada Cup Chess tournament, billed to start tomorrow in Georgetown. 

The competition, hosted by Guyana for the first time, will run until December 1, with all games being played at the Sleepin Hotel on Brickdam, Georgetown.
During an interview yesterday, GCF President Irshad Mohamed pointed out that all systems are in place for the five-day tournament, with some of the overseas players already here; while others are due to arrive today.
“Everything is in place as we speak. All the arrangements have been finalised; accommodation and so on, so we’re on track to having a successful tournament,” Mohamed highlighted.
Initially, 17 countries were invited to compete at the fifth annual tournament, but only six would take to the tables come tomorrow. Guyana apart, players would come from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Suriname and the Dominican Republic.
As the host nation, Guyana has the privilege of entering an unlimited number of players, and according to Mohamed, at least 40 locals are set to do battle against the foreigners. Suriname is expected to field a team of 14, while Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed eight entries, Barbados and Jamaica three each and two from the Dominican Republic.
Mohamed also used the opportunity to underscore the importance of Guyana hosting such a prestigious tournament for the first time.
“It is important for us to host this tournament. Hopefully, it can help to lift the level of the game in Guyana, as well as encourage more persons to come and join the chess fraternity,” the GCF commented.
The tournament, according to Mohamed, is being organised under the auspices of current president of FIDE, the world governing body for chess, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
The tournament will be held in two categories: one for players in the Open Section and another for those in the Challenger Section. Both sections will be played under the Swiss System for nine rounds and will be FIDE rated. A grand payout package of US$16,000 would be at stake.

In the Open Section, the winner will cart off US$2,500, while the second and third place finishers will pocket US$1,500 and US$1,000 respectively.
The winner of the Challenger Section is entitled to US$1,500, with the runner-up copping US$1,000 and third US$750. In the case of a tie, the sum of the prizes involved will be shared equally.