Davion Mars making a name in chess …goals on the horizon

BY Timothy Jaikarran

National Chess Player and recent winner of the University of Guyana Chess Games, Davion Mars, continues to shine illustriously as he bags experience not only nationally, but internationally.
Currently 22 years old, Mars, a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus, grew up in the ancient county of Berbice, at No. 51 Village, before moving to Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara, where he spent most of his life.
Speaking with GUYANA TIMES SPORT in an exclusive interview, Mars thus responded to being asked about the first time he was introduced to chess: “My 1st chess related experience occurred when I was 14 years of age, during my proud high school years as a student of St. Stanislaus College. At the time, my peers and I were all Draughts enthusiasts, playing almost daily. This was, of course, until someone had the bright idea to suggest that we play chess instead. Quite a few of my peers were pretty well versed in the basics of the game, to which I was completely oblivious. Consequently, it was not long after that day that Draughts lost popularity entirely in my class to this peculiar game called Chess, which I knew absolutely nothing about. This had me quite provoked, so I took it upon myself to learn the game in my spare time at home, teaching myself the rules and basics, which I researched online while I observed my friends play at school for just over a week, before I finally sat down in front of a chess board with the intention to play. I won my very 1st game, and I suppose it was this first taste of blood that transposed my enthusiasm for draughts into chess entirely.
“It took a very short time for me to become the best chess player in my class, and this got the attention of students an academic year above mine, who would frequently entertain me in a few games. One of these individuals was then National Jr. Champion Ron Motilall, who invited me to join the school’s chess club. Ron’s achievements greatly inspired my interest in the sport, and was one of the two reasons I decided to take chess seriously. I credit him for most of my earliest successes. The other reason was that I soon discovered that I was born on the same day with Indian chess legend GM Vishwanathan Anand, who was also the reigning World Champion at that time, and this motivated me to try and emulate his successes and style of play”.
Mars further went on to state that the University of Guyana’s Chess tournament has encouraged him to continually stay competitive even while in practice, as stemming from this tournament opportunity would be provided for him, as the University usually participates in the Caribbean Inter-Collegiate games and uses these tournament’s performances as a criteria for selection.
This would grant him the opportunity to build early momentum towards qualifying for the 2020 Chess Olympiad in Russia, which is his ultimate goal for the next 2 years.
He further stated that he is looking forward to having more international exposure, which would allow him to build his FIDE rating, which is currently at 1604; and also to possibly earn a FIDE Chess Master title.
Mars currently occupies the Number 10 seat in the entire country’s FIDE chess rankings, which he hopes would soon change via competing and excelling in future tournaments.
In closing, Mars said, “I would like to acknowledge; firstly, I would like to thank my mother, who has and continues to make tremendous sacrifices for me to exist in this world as comfortably as I do. Without her moral support, almost none of my accomplishments would even exist in concept. I would also like to acknowledge my closest friends: Sherlyta Campagne, Sophia Raghunandan, Andrew Hing, Maharanie Jhillu, Stephan Sutherland and Christopher Henery, who continuously celebrate my successes and support my continuous progression both in life, sports and academically. Also, Ron Motilal, who helped to sharpen my chess abilities when it was still in its infancy, and the entire University of Guyana Sports Department, which includes Ms. Lavern Fraser and Renick Alleyne, who made the event a success. And of course, finally, our campus coach, Ronuel Greenidge, who has worked tirelessly over the past year to improve the quality of chess at the University level”.

Some of Mars Chess accomplishments are:
3rd Place Awardee National Junior Championship 2011
3rd Place Awardee National Schools Championship 2011
Awarded Captaincy and Presidency of the St. Stanislaus Chess Club 2011-2012
3rd Place Awardee National Schools Championship 2012
2nd place Awardee LFS Burnham Memorial Championship Junior Category 2015
Arena FIDE Master title 2015
3rd Place Awardee National Senior Chess Championship 2016
Best Unrated Chess Player, Srefedensi Chess Celebration Suriname 2016 Open Category
Elected Executive Treasurer of The Guyana Chess Federation 2017
University of Guyana Chess Champion 2017/2018
University of Guyana Chess Champion 2018/2019
Awarded FIDE Instructor License from the Barbados Chess Federation, 2018
2nd Place awardee Pre-Olympiad Blitz 2018, Senior Category