THE Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will host its 2020 National Closed Chess Championships final this Saturday afternoon at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.
The event, which was originally scheduled for last year, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Director of Tournaments Rashad Hussain, the final will be played every weekend until February 14 under strict COVID-19 guidelines.
“I am structuring the playing venue so that only two persons playing are allowed in the room.”
Prior to the pandemic, GCF had held Qualifiers for the event to select the top 10 players.
The 2019 champion, FIDE Master Anthony Drayton, was joined by former national senior champion and Candidate Master Taffin Khan, another former champion and Candidate Master Wendell Meusa, reigning Rapid and Blitz champion Davion Mars, Loris Nathoo, Errol Tiwari, Glenford Corlette, Saeed Ali, Roy Sharma and Justino DaSilva.
According to Hussain, due to work constraints a few of the players might opt out and could be replaced by standbys, Frankie Farley, Adrian Roopnarine and Shiv Nandalall.
Hussain noted that the Qualifiers for the 2021 Championships, will be scheduled for August or September with the final to follow just after.

Schedule:
Round 1 – Saturday, January 30 at 14:00hrs
Round 2 – Sunday, January 31 at 09:00hrs
Round 3 – Sunday, January 31 at 15:00hrs
Round 4 – Saturday February 6 at 14:00hrs
Round 5 – Sunday, February 7 at 09:00hrs
Round 6 – Sunday, February 7 at 15:00hrs
Round 7 – Saturday February 13 at 14:00hrs
Round 8 – Sunday, February 14 at 09:00hrs
Round 9 – Sunday, February 14 at 15:00hrs