As the University Games in Colombia slowly approach, the University of Guyana will, for the first time, be sending a chess team comprised of five members and the coach. This team will be looking to score big at the games, as it is boosted with some of Guyana’s and the University’s top chess players.
Andre Jagnandan will be representing the University of Guyana in Colombia
The squad comprises of Davion Mars, Andre Jagnandan, Sidney Nelson, Tristan Carter, Rondell Palmer, and Coach Ronuel Greenidge. Speaking to Guyana Times Sport, Andre Jagnandan, who has been making a name for himself in chess, said: “I’m quite prepared. The team is at the peak of our preparation. Yeah, my confidence is high, but I’m still humble towards the challenge, as chess requires a clear mind. Right now I’m just going over strategies with my coach, and implementing them against the rest of the team; as each of us has our own drawbacks, but that’s what coach is trying to sort out.”
Ronuel Greenidge has confidence in his team as its members prepare for the University Games
Jagnandan has played five tournaments in 2019, and has secured first in the One-Day Blitz, second in the One-Day Rapid, first in the Junior Qualifiers, first in the Junior Championships, and second in the Open Rapid. Jagnandan can be one of the top emerging players in the games, as he has proven to have a very good end game, which allowed him to win many games this year.
Also speaking with this publication was Coach of the University Chess Department, Ronuel Greenidge, who related that the squad is still preparing but is hoping to do well when it arrives at the tournament. Greenidge has said he is seeing improvement in the playing strength in all his players, as they have taken it upon themselves to take training seriously; but he knows that with exposure his players would improve. He also said that he is ecstatic for the opportunity given his players, and he knows his players will do their best when they arrive in Colombia.
