GIRLS’ CHESS CAMP HOSTED IN REGION 3; YOUTH TRAINING SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

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.