AN EXCITING YEAR AHEAD National Chess Champion Wendell Meusa reflects on 2018

By Jemima Holmes

For National Chess Champion Wendell Meusa, Chess is more than just a hobby; it is, in fact, a part of everything he does. Over the years, Meusa has taken his skill to new heights, maintaining a platform for young players to learn and pursue the game.
Before it was officially known as the Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation (WMCF), the club, located at the American University of Peace Studies on Sherriff Street Georgetown, was known to chess enthusiasts as the ‘Royal Chess Academy’. It was started on March 23rd, 2009 and was home to promising players such as Cecil Cox, Ron Motilall and the Clementson sisters, Julia and Jessica.
Almost ten years after its initiation, the Chess Foundation has given Wendell Meusa purpose every day, with a passion that continues to burn brightly.
“Chess fuels my passion for chess. I’ve always loved the sport of chess, and the opportunities provided while I was playing for Barbados through the Barbados Chess Federation made me love the sport even more,” Meusa explained.
Like many other sporting activities that have begun to take the spotlight in Guyana, Chess has been blossoming and attracting talented players. For the WMCF, the year has been an exceptional one, wherein a number of promising youths have been discovered and give a platform to better their skill.
“2018 was a good year, but I actually think it could have been way better. I’ve decided to focus more on our junior players, and this year saw them receiving some regional and international exposure, which I hope they can get more of. Chess is very underrated in Guyana, and corporate sponsorships are challenging to accumulate. However, on the good side, we were able to spread the development of chess even greater, thanks highly to the National Sports Commission,” Meusa told Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive Interview.
On a personal note, Meusa is of the opinion that chess can gain more popularity if players are given a shot at more tournaments outside of Guyana’s shores.
“As for me, even though I have retained my national chess championships title, I think my level of chess is deteriorating. I continuously train mornings and nights, but the lack of local and international tournaments I would say is the main reason for my deterioration,” Meusa confided.
Despite any trials the foundation may have faced in 2018, the good has come with the bad in the form of improvements. These improvements range from the exploration of more strategies to an increase in training periods, as explained by the Guyanese champion.
“Improvements in 2018 have seen our junior national players taking chess more seriously. They have been training more regularly, and even trying out new ideas/strategies as they explore more openings,” Meusa explained.
In a year that was hectic with tournaments, both local and regional, sensitisation programmes for first time players outside of the capital and programmes for disabled students, Meusa noted that the most rewarding part of the year has been the ability to see the youngsters enjoy the witty game.
“My most rewarding moments are the joyous and happy faces of kids when they play chess. Chess brings happiness to many, like it did to me,” he declared.
After reflecting on the year in chess, Meusa said he has set his sights on higher heights for the upcoming year. That will see young players being given opportunity to compete at more advanced levels.
“For 2019, we have even bigger and greater plans. Our parent associations are eyeing regional and international tournaments such as CARIFTA in April, Central and Caribbean Chess Championships, and the Pan American School Championships. Also currently in negotiations and planning is the Guyana International Chess Festival, intended for May 2019 as part of our country’s 53rd Independence. We hope this event can bring some of the Caribbean’s, South America’s and Latin America’s strongest chess players to the land of many waters,” he stated, enlightening <<Guyana Times Sport>>.
Another event being greatly anticipated in 2019 is the National Junior Chess Championships. Judging from the excellent 2018 performances from the likes of Jaden Taylor, Rajiv Lee, Ethan Lee, Nellisha Johnson, Chelsea Juma and Sasha Shariff, current Junior Champion Joshua Gopaul will have a tough fight to retain the title.
“Guyana’s 2019 National Junior Chess Championships are highly anticipated by our junior players. These junior players have been competing among themselves throughout the year, and next year’s winner cannot be determined statistically,” Meusa said, expressing his excitement at the impending competition.
In a bid to extend gratitude, Meusa detailed a long list of persons who have contributed to the WMCF’s success in 2018, and said he looks forward to their continued support in the upcoming year.
“Honestly, I must say thank you to Mr. Christopher Jones and the National Sports Commission; Ministry of Social Cohesion; Red Cherry, Trophy Stall, American University of Peace Studies, Wayne’s Beverage, Lee’s Family, Mr Irshad Mohammed, all the parents, and others who has contributed to our success in 2018. I wish to invite more corporate sponsors on board in 2019 as we continue spreading chess in Guyana,” he said.