THE National Sports Commission (NSC), in conjunction with National chess coach Wendell Meusa, visited Bartica from June 4 to 8 in an attempt to continue the promotion of chess across Guyana.

Meusa, along with Region Seven Regional sports organiser Mark Ambrose, conducted the Bartica Chess in School – Introduction to Chess workshop, The duo visited St John the Baptist Primary School, Three Miles Secondary, Two Miles Primary, St Anthony’s Primary (main building and annex) and Bartica Government Secondary School.

During the visit, Meusa coached 276 children from the above schools in the basics of chess such as the history of the sport, benefits of chess in schools, FIDE (World Chess Federation) rules and regulations, the chess board and how to play with every piece.
These are the basics of chess at the developmental level or introductory level for competitive chess at an international level.

Also, famous immortal games from the Paul Morphy (former USA Champ) and Adolf Anderssen (former German & World Champion) from 1852 and 1842 were studied to illustrate the basic tactical and strategic ideas in chess.

This was phase one of the promotion and development of chess in that region. This programme will be conducted for schools on the riverside in the region and there will be a teachers’ training programme as well as an inter-school novice competition in the region.
The ultimate aim is to promote the development chess clubs within the schools where these clubs will be managed by the teachers.

Also, it is with great hope to have schools from this region participate in this year’s National Inter-School Chess Championships which is normally held yearly by the Guyana Chess Federation but which has not come off lately due to lack of sponsorship.

Regional Education Officer (REDO) for Region Seven Mr Akbar Chindu, openly welcomed Mr Meusa to the region and supported the development of chess not only for schools in Bartica but also for the community as well.
Mr Chindu stated that he knows the mental benefits of chess and would love to have it as part of his school system in the region.

He hopes that is not the beginning and the end of the development of the sport in the region and that the sport can be spread to ïnterior schools in the region so they can have equal chances for their social and mental development.