World Chess Federation Director and Grandmaster, Nigel Short MBE on Tuesday night, concluded a simultaneous exhibition match against 20 Guyanese chess players from as young as nine years old to as old as 30.
GM Short started his onslaught just after 5 pm and was completely engaged for the first 2 hours of the exhibition as the Guyana side fought valiantly to scratch out an advantage over the Grandmaster.
At State House, he played against former Open National Champion CM Taffin Khan, FM Anthony Drayton, Davion Mars, Roberto Neto, Ethan Lee, WCM Sheriffa Alli, Jessica Callender, Nellisha Johnson, 2022 National Women’s Champion Pooja Lam, 2022 Junior Champion Ricardo Narine, 2023 Under-14 Open Champion Kyle Couchman, 2023 U14 Girl’s Champion Anaya Lall, 2023 National U-12 Champion Aquilani Swaminadha, Keron Sandiford, Sasha Shariff, Micaiah Enoe, Ronan lee, Mayas Khan and siblings Alexander and Nicholas Zhang.
Around 8 pm at the beginning of hour 3, the pins sadly began to fall and it was all over by 9 pm, with the final capitulation by CM Taffin Khan.
The best game in the exhibition was against Anthony Drayton. Tensions were high as player after player battled for a chance to edge victory over one of the best chess players in the world.
Outstanding games from 9-year-old Aquilani Swaminadha, 12-year-old Anaya Lall and 16-year-old Ronan Lee who kept the Grandmaster engaged for the entirety of the event, outlasting almost all of their more experienced peers.
Candidate Master Taffin Khan, notably one of Guyana’s most decorated chess players, held on the longest. Only after a long and suspenseful three hours did he finally concede and let the final king fall, leaving former world championship finalist Short with a clean sweep.
More than 100 chess enthusiasts and future champions were in attendance to observe the games, including students from several schools across Georgetown and special guests from the New Amsterdam Special School, who are part of the Federation’s Chess in Special Needs Schools programme.
Grandmaster Short praised the Federation for progress made so far in advancing chess, noting that he sees potential for Guyanese players to eventually be on par with players from global powerhouses for the sport such as Russia. He added that he also hopes to see Guyana become a regional powerhouse for the sport.
President Irfaan Ali also donates $1M toward chess development. He, along with cabinet members Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh stopped by to cheer on the Guyanese players in the match.
Spectators and players alike were treated to a surprise visit by Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley who interacted with youngsters at the event.
