Junior Players up the ante over Seniors_-RAM & MCRAE 2023 Chess Championship Qualifiers

Day 3 of the ongoing RAM & MCRAE National Open Chess Championship Qualifiers saw some major upsets in the expected progression of the tournament at the National Stadium. In Round 5, thirteen-year-old Sachin Pitamber defeated long-time senior player Justino DaSilva, who resigned when he realised the ominous threat of two connected passed pawns gaining strength and marching to promotion, sealing Da Silva’s demise.

In the same round, Junior Champion Keron Sandiford bounced back after defeating his senior counterpart Gilbert Williams. He lost his Round 4 game to fellow junior Ethan Lee. After a 4-hour battle against veteran Errol Tiwari, Lee claimed victory when the senior player exceeded his time control. Round 5 also saw fifteen-year-old Alex Benjamin draw his game with the experienced Rashad Hussain.

By Round 6, young Pitamber had battled his way to Board 1 to face off against Candidate Master and former National Champion Taffin Khan. Khan maintained an advantage throughout the game after winning a pawn and proceeded to victory. On Board 2 of that round, teenage Alex Benjamin went head-to-head with Ethan Lee but could not add to his score. Lee built an advantage from the inception, chipped away at Benjamin’s pieces, and secured the point. Keron Sandiford on Board 3 claimed victory against Rashad Hussain, whose game was even until the end game, where Hussain, outdone by Sandiford’s end-game prowess, resigned after losing a pawn.

CM Taffin Khan maintains his lead with 6 points, Ethan Lee is on 5, while Sachin Pitamber and Keron Sandiford are on 4.5 points. Roberto Neto is on 4 points after losing to Khan in Round 5 and unable to play in Round 6. Justino DaSilva and Gilbert Williams are on 4 points. Senior player Loris Nathoo made a comeback after losing to Keron Sandiford in Round 3, also on 4 points. Rolex Alexander, who missed Round 1, is also on 4. Kim Shing Chong, Rashad Hussain, Alex Benjamin, Shiv Nandalall and Saeed Ali are on 3.5 points.

The Tournament Sponsor, Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants was on hand to present the sponsorship cheque to the Guyana Chess Federation. In a short ceremony, Ms. Felicia Hack, Manager, Accounts, handed over the cheque to the Federation’s Company Secretary, Mrs Marcia Lee. Mr. Christopher Thompson, Attorney at Law, RAM & MCRAE, spoke on behalf of the company, expressing the view that since chess is a relatively inexpensive sport, infrastructure is mostly in place for promoting the game in schools across Guyana, not just on the Coastal Plain. Mr. Thompson emphasized that hinterland communities must be included in this expansion and urged collaboration with the Ministry of Education. He further expressed that RAM & MCRAE is happy to sponsor this and similar events in the foreseeable future.

President of the GCF, Anand Raghunauth, confirmed that chess has been introduced at Dolphin Secondary School, St John’s College, Richard Ishmael Secondary School and St Joseph High School, with Queenstown Secondary to be included soon, as part of their curriculum by the Ministry of Education through their Allied Arts Division in collaboration with the Federation. GCF-certified teachers are attached to these institutions and so far, almost 500 students have been introduced to chess and are receiving further instruction.

Managing Partner Christopher Ram observed he is a past student of Dolphin Secondary School and is gratified that his Alma Mater is part of the initial rollout. In his address to the tournament players, he reminded young players of the importance of strategy and committing fewer mistakes as practice becomes routine. Mr. Ram’s view is that despite the outcome, both sides are winners, as both can take away a positive experience, either from outright victory, from learning from mistakes made or from exposure to new methods of play.

President of the GCF, Anand Raghunauth thanked Ram and McRae, for their contribution to the development of chess in Guyana. He went on to emphasize the importance of chess in the minds of young and old alike and the benefits that chess can bring to individuals, schools and the community at large.

The final games, rounds 7 and 8, to be played on Nov 19 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, will determine the title seekers for 2023.