Farley intends to take GCF to the next level

Guyana Chess Federation (GCF)

By Timothy Jaikarran

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has recently concluded its annual general elections, and former Vice President Frankie Farley has now been elected GCF President, having defeated incumbent GCF President James Bond by 13 votes to his eight.
In an exclusive interview with <Guyana Times Sport Farley had this to say: “As the new (GCF) president, I have been given a great opportunity to revolutionise the playing of this game in Guyana and to create Grandmaster incubators. It is my hope to create a Guyanese GM by the year 2022. From my standpoint, the key to revolutionising chess in Guyana is the integration of chess into the school curriculum in all 10 regions of Guyana.
“In terms of moulding the minds of these young individuals, I plan on having the parents of kids involved in the process of policy development and implementation.”
Farley said the GCF vision is to enhance the lives of all Guyanese by increasing the playing of chess, wherein the appreciation of the value of time, concentration, evaluation, patience, and calculated risk-taking are paramount to success.
The GCF, he said, intends to focus on continually enhancing the attractiveness of the game to youths by creating a brand that embodies creativity, competitiveness and allure. The strategy to be employed would seek to establish the game foremost in the minds of youths, and, as a priority, will seek to increase the number of female players.
It is essential, he said, that in the execution of this strategy, every effort is made to avoid the game being perceived to be elitist. In fact, it is necessary for success of the strategy that it is viewed as a pastime that can be enjoyed by all, starting at the grassroots.
In order to achieve this, the GCF intends to implement chess-playing in schools; formulate initiatives to foster the formation of clubs; increase women’s participation in the playing of chess; start grassroots programmes in regard to the playing of chess; develop an interest in this game in hinterland regions, and facilitate diaspora participation in the promotion of chess locally.