DIRECTOR of Sport within the National Sports Commission (NSC), Neil Kumar, yesterday showered praise on the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) and long-serving sponsor Trophy Stall for their excellent work in the development of chess in Guyana. “First of all, let me say thanks to both the GCF and Trophy Stall for having me here today. I must say that I really appreciate the work that is being done by both parties, especially the proprietor of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, who has done a fantastic job in building trophies for events, held here in Guyana.”
Kumar assured the sponsor, who, for the third successive year is partnering with the GCF in the tournament which will be played under his company’s name, that the GCF will give him accountability and transparency in the way the competition will be held, while saying adequate mileage will be given by the media entities.
Speaking on behalf of the GCF, recently elected president Shiv Nandalall thanked the sponsor for the continued trust that was placed in the GCF, while he was high in praise for Kumar’s presence at the launching of the tournament.
Senior national champion Taffin Khan and his junior counterpart Sue Hai-Feng, siblings Sherifa and Saeed Ali, Cecil Cox and brothers Ron and Raan Motilall among others, will do battle for supremacy in the six-round Swiss System tournament which is open to all chess players across Guyana.
The first pawn will be moved on Sunday,  December 29, at the Keishar’s Sports Club, where the first two rounds will be played, with the other four being played at the same venue on February 3 and 4 culminating the following Sunday.
According to Nandalall, a special trophy will be issued to the Best Under-13 player, as the GCF seeks to stimulate the interest of the young population in the sport, saying they have commenced same with the tournament that was recently held in Berbice.