Saturday, May 2, 2026, marked a significant milestone for the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) as the Guyana Women in Chess Community (GWICC) successfully launched its Girls’ Chess Camp in Region 3. Hosted at the Leonora Stadium, West Demerara, the event drew a vibrant crowd of 21 girls and educators from local institutions, including Leonora Secondary School and Qayyim Academy. Between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, the stadium was transformed into a hub of strategic learning, signalling a bright future for female representation in the sport.
The workshop welcomed both newcomers and experienced players. While the girls and their teachers were introduced to the fundamentals, those already familiar with the game received advanced training. The one-day event was a resounding success; by its conclusion, every female had mastered the rules and was playing confidently. Each participant was given a booklet for beginners detailing chess rules and basic checkmate and tactics so that they can continue to learn on their own.
The GWICC aims to increase the number of girls and women in chess in Guyana. Over the years, the number of girls playing the sport has increased significantly within the federation.
Led by Mrs. Marcia Lee, the participants were taught the basics of chess, including checkmate and other tactical elements. Mrs. Lee was aided in the coaching by CM Taffin Khan, WCM Jessica Callender, and Nellisha Johnson. The GCF wishes to thank Rouge Salon and Spa, Mrs. Suparna Narine, and Mrs. Harrison for providing lunch, snacks, and beverages for the event.
In line with its mandate to decentralize the sport, the GCF has launched its expansion initiative in Region 3. The Federation aims to empower schools to establish their own chess clubs as a cornerstone of their extracurricular programming. We invite all schools within the region to participate in our comprehensive training program, designed to provide students with a robust foundation in the game.
Building on the success of the Girls’ Camp, the GCF will host its Youth Chess Training this weekend, May 9th and 10th, at the Leonora Stadium. Open to both boys and girls, these sessions will run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm daily. This initiative will introduce students to the world of chess, specifically designed to
sharpen critical thinking and strategic reasoning. The GCF invites all Region 3 schools to register their allotted number of participants; registration forms are currently available through school administrations or via the GCF’s official Facebook page.
The GCF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education is introducing the game to schools in its chess-in-education drive as a model for strategic thinking and competition among students. The GCF would like to thank the Ministry of Education and the United of Allied Arts for their support towards the program.
