GCF partnering with chesskid.com to promote chess among youth
─Police Youth Groups targeted in initiative
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) recently rolled out the Chesskids Online Chess-In-Schools programme in collaboration with Chesskid.com, which is aimed at aggressively promoting the board game with a rallying call: ‘Chess is an easy game to learn!’
The free programme targets seven to 19-year-old youth who attend either public or private schools. The GCF is also targeting police youth groups countrywide in the promotion of the game.
In a press release, the GCF said the initiative aims to dispel a common myth that the game is difficult to learn. The Federation will introduce the game online due to the prevailing risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It secured a one-year package in August with chesskid.com, a United States-based company which provides several modules of learning material for young newcomers or seasoned players who participate in junior chess tournaments.
“The cost of the online chess project will amount to approximately US$15,000 per year, provided by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). The federation hopes to award CHESSKID Gold Membership to at least 1,000 players by the end of 2021,” the press release stated.
During the GCF-coordinated online programme, players and beginners will be awarded Chesskid Gold Membership based on their participation and use of the resources provided.
Seasoned players are required to participate in short online tournaments lasting about three hours each and conducted by the chess website every few weeks. The website has installed computerised safeguards to ensure that it obtains credible results in the competitions. The first and second local online junior tournaments, which were held recently, attracted a significant number of female players.
The winners of those tournaments were 10-year-old Omar Shariff of Mae’s Schools and Queen’s College student Omesh Dyal, respectively.
Participants in the online chesskid training programme are divided into two groups. Those who are already participants in online tournaments will be further exposed to training, while beginners will first be taught the rudiments of the game before later being taught how to develop strategy, tactics, and other techniques.
Interested school representatives or parents can contact Guyana National Arbiter Mr. John Lee on telephone number 623-0986; Chairman of the Chess-in-Schools Committee, Mr. Anand Raghunauth on telephone number 681-8771, or they can send a message to the GCF’s social media page to request more information.
Since his appointment, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr. has committed to partnering with all sports associations and federations to help showcase Guyanese talent through national engagement.
During the recent presentation of this year’s national budget Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill disclosed that some $2.7 billion had been allocated for Culture, Youth and Sport, with $805.3 million allocated for sports.