THE Guyana Chess Federation’s 2020 National Closed Chess Championship final, billed to start this afternoon, will be contested between eight players at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. The event, which was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was expected to be a 10-player battle. Work restrictions, however, forced two players to drop out. Former school champions, Saeed Ali and Justino DaSilva informed the federation of their inability to compete at the championship.
Director of Tournaments, Rashad Hussain, said that Frankie Farley, Adrian Roopnarine and Shiv Nandalall were the three reserves, but none of them is available.
Although some of the seasoned players will not participate, Hussain is expecting a quality battle.
“This is probably the most anticipated tournament in years. We have been waiting over a year for it. It has the strongest players (participating). This is one that will definitely be exciting.”
The event, which was scheduled for nine rounds, spanning every weekend until February 14, will now be played over seven rounds and Hussain is hoping to have it concluded by Sunday, February 7.

He told Chronicle Sport that all systems are in place to facilitate COVID-19-free interaction, including having one game per room, compulsory masks and proper sanitation. What is excited about this year’s championship is the unpredictability. Although 2019 champion and FIDE Master Anthony Drayton is an early favourite and the battle should be between him and former champions Candidate Master Taffin Khan and Candidate Master Wendell Meusa, none of them has played competitive chess in months. Who has played and won is Davion Mars. The 25-year-old won both shorter versions of the game (the Rapid and Blitz National Championships) in December and would be in a positive frame of mind to take the hat-trick of wins. Along with those four, Loris Nathoo (who finished second behind Khan in last January’s Qualifiers) will be joined by Errol Tiwari, Glenford Corlette and Roy Sharma. The Qualifiers for the 2021 Championships is scheduled for August or September with the final to follow just after.