IN wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) recently sought to keep the youths involved by virtue of their online programme dubbed CHESSKIDS ONLINE CHESS-IN-SCHOOLS.

The venture is a partnership between CHESSKID.COM which is a United States-based entity and the GCF. According to GCF Events Consultant, Shiv Nandall, the project is geared towards practising social distancing by allowing students to interact virtually via internet; which is a main requirement.

The GCF acquired a one-year package with CHESSKID.COM, with the company donating several modules to the GCF for their young newbie batch of players.

GCF will be targeting students aged between 7-19 who attend public or private schools in Guyana. The cost of the ambitious online chess project will amount to approximately US$15 000 per year provided by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). The local body is aiming to award CHESSKID Gold Membership to at least 1 000 players by the end of 2021.

Police youth groups throughout the country are currently being targeted in the promotion of the game. Upon registering for the online programme, players and beginners will be awarded CHESSKID Gold Membership, based on their participation and use of the resources provided by the company.

With regard to the more experienced players, they will be required to participate in short, online tournaments which will be about three hours each and will be conducted by the chess website.

Meanwhile, interested school representatives or parents can contact Guyana National Arbiter John Lee on 623-0986, Chairman of the Chess-in-Schools Committee, Anand Raghunauth on 681-8771 or message GCF on Facebook for more information.