Ministry of Education, GCF host successful Inter-School Chess tournament

The Ministry of Education, through its Priority Areas Programme, in collaboration with the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), successfully hosted the highly anticipated Inter-School Chess Tournament on December 11-12, 2024, at Queen’s College.

This event reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to fostering well-rounded students by promoting extra-curricular activities that enhance critical thinking and creativity.

The tournament brought together 160 students from 15 schools, including eight schools under the Ministry’s Priority Areas Programme.

The competition was played in a Rapid format, with participants given 25 minutes to play and a 10-second increment added after each move.

Students competed in three categories: Individual, Female Team, and Open Team, showcasing their strategic and analytical skills.

Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical Information), Dr. Ritesh Tularam, highlighted the Ministry’s dedication to providing students with opportunities to develop holistically.

“This initiative is an excellent example of how extracurricular activities like chess can complement the academic curriculum, nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and strategic decision-making,” Dr. Tularam stated.

The results of the tournament are as follows:

Individual Tournament Winners

1. Alexander Zhang – Queen’s College
2. Nicholas Zhang – Queen’s College
3. Javier Davenand – Marian Academy

Female Team Tournament Winners

1. Queen’s College
2. New Guyana School
3. Marian Academy

Team Tournament Winners

1. Queen’s College
2. Marian Academy
3. New Guyana School 

   President of the Guyana Chess Federation, Anand Raghunauth, expressed his excitement over the tournament’s success, the first of its kind since 2019.

   He commended the Ministry’s Priority Areas Programme for integrating chess into the school curriculum and highlighted the work of GCF-certified FIDE School Instructors, who have introduced chess to over 1,000 students in Georgetown over the past year.

   The tournament, supported by TOPCO and Sunshine Snacks, was a resounding success, running from 9:00 hours to 15:00 hours each day.

   The Ministry of Education congratulates all participants and winners for their outstanding performances and looks forward to continued collaboration with the GCF to expand chess in schools across the country.