More than 50 young players took part in a two-day youth chess workshop at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora last weekend, as part of an expansion programme by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) in Region Three.
The May 9–10 workshop, sponsored by International Import and Supplies and the GCF, drew students and teachers from nine schools across the West Coast of Demerara.
Organisers said the programme catered to all skill levels, with beginners introduced to basic rules, piece movement and checkmating patterns, while intermediate players worked on tactics, puzzles and opening theory.
The five-hour sessions recorded strong participation, including 23 female players. Meals and refreshments were provided, while chess sets were distributed to schools with the highest attendance to support the formation of school chess clubs.
Leonora Secondary, West Demerara Secondary, Qayyim Academy and De Willem Secondary recorded the highest turnout.
Other participating schools included Leonora Primary, Stewartville Secondary, Zeeburg Secondary, Cornelia Ida Primary and Modern Foundation Academy.
On Sunday, 40 participants competed in a six-round mini-tournament under formal time controls, many for the first time. Trophies and chess sets were awarded to the top six finishers and the best female performer, while all participants received prizes.
The top performers included Deandre Mohammed (Qayyim Academy), Kemari Peters (West Demerara Secondary), Jaquan Browne (Stewartville Secondary), Christian Campbell (Qayyim Academy), Jairam Thackurdeen (West Demerara Secondary) and Samuel George (Qayyim Academy). The best female performer was Zafirah Bremner (Qayyim Academy).
The training was conducted under the supervision of GCF coaches CM Taffin Khan, Nellisha Johnson and Marcia Lee, with assistance from John Lee during the tournament.
GCF President Anand Raghunauth said the turnout underscored the growing presence of chess in schools along the West Coast of Demerara, and reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to maintaining engagement with schools to embed the sport in extracurricular programmes.
The GCF also thanked the National Sports Commission for providing the venue and International Import and Supplies for its continued support.
