‘Over-the-board’ Chess returns with GAICO sponsored Grand Prix

‘Over-the-board’ Chess will finally be returning after two years with the Guyana Chess Federation’s GAICO Grand Prix, beginning on March 19 at 09:00h.

The next playing dates are March 20, 26 and 27. Due to COVID-19 constraints, Chess was held online for the past 24 months.

A total of eight rounds will be played throughout the tourney with classic matches of 90 minutes + 30 seconds added to each player’s clock after every move.

This four-day tournament will be the first of four to be held throughout the year and will aid in the selection of a local team to compete in the FIDE Olympiad later this year.

The Olympiad, typically contested by nearly 200 countries, was initially slated to be held from July 26 to August 8 in Moscow, Russia, but was removed from the host country due to that country’s invasion of Ukraine.

It is now going to be hosted by the All India Chess Federation in Chennai, India. Players interested in competing in the Grand Prix are asked to register by 17:00h on Friday (March 18) on www.guyanachess.org and pay a registration fee of G$2,000.

All matches will be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, and top players Anthony Drayton, Loris Nathoo, Davion Mars, Adrian Roopnarine along with juniors Jessica Callender and Ethan Lee are all expected to participate in this long-awaited return to in-person competition.

Strict COVID-19 safety protocols will also be observed. Trophies will be awarded for the best female player in the tournament, as well as the top male and female junior players.

Trophies and cash prizes will be offered to the top three finishers in the tournament, while medals will be given to the fourth to 10^th place finishers.

“The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to express its gratitude to GAICO Construction and General Services Inc. for their generous sponsorship of the four Grand Prix tournaments. For the past 29 years GAICO has been operating in various industries from construction all the way to marine, oil spill and waste management,” the Federation said.

“They have been constantly expanding in an attempt to keep up with the fast paced development of Guyana and for its entire lifetime has been committed to giving back to the people. GAICO’s long-standing relationship with the Guyana Chess Federation is another way in which GAICO supports the development and the future of Guyana through constructive recreation and building of many critical thinking skills.”

The tournament will be supervised by FIDE Arbiters John Lee and Anand Raghunauth.