Berbice to host rapid chess tournament on August 24

Competitive chess is set to return to the Berbice region as the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) organises a one-day 20/20 Rapid Chess Tournament for Sunday, August 24.

The event, open to all Berbice players, will be held at the Little Rock Suites Conference Hall in New Amsterdam and is designed to revitalise the game in an area where it was once very popular.

Mirroring the fast-paced nature of Twenty20 cricket, each player will have 20 minutes on the clock to complete their moves.

This time constraint adds an element of high-stakes pressure to the seven-round Swiss System competition.

“The greatest challenge for me while only playing with 20 minutes, is playing the endgame,” said New Amsterdam player Steve Leung.

“There’s usually little time on the clock, where every second matters. Under time pressure, there is an increased chance for mistakes to arise, which could cost you the game.”

Tournament organisers hope the event will attract players of all ages, helping to build a vibrant local community.

Registration is free, and the top three finishers will receive trophies and cash prizes. A special prize will also be awarded to the best female player.

To secure a spot, players must register online at the GCF’s website, guyanachess.gy, by Thursday, August 21.