GCF 960 Freestyle tournament scheduled for tomorrow

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will host its first 960 Freestyle chess tournament at the Exhibition Centre of the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Kingston, Georgetown tomorrow: Thursday, May 1st, 2025.
Described as a dynamic, 9-round affair, this tournament would feature a time control of 15 minutes per player, with a 5-second increment added to the clock after each move.

Chess 960, also known as Fischer Random Chess, is an exciting variation of classical chess that reinvents the game with creativity and innovation. Introduced by legendary chess player Bobby Fischer, Chess 960 keeps the strategic depth of traditional chess while adding unpredictability to the starting positions.
The most striking difference between Chess 960 and classical chess is the setup of the pieces. Classical chess features a standard initial setup, where the rooks occupy the corners of the board with the knights beside them, and then bishops, with the queen and king on their specific starting squares.
Chess 960, however, introduces 960 possible starting positions by randomizing the arrangement of the pieces on the back rank. Two rules guide the randomization: the king must be placed between the two rooks (to allow castling), and the bishops must be on opposite-coloured squares. White pawns occupy the second rank, black pawns occupy the seventh, and the black pieces mirror the placement of the white pieces.
In a Chess 960 tournament, a random starting position is generated before every round. The players have a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the layout and adjust their strategies accordingly. This levels the playing field, as everyone would encounter the position for the first time.
Participants of all skill levels can enjoy Chess 960 Swiss tournaments, offering a refreshing challenge for those who love the game and seek variety beyond traditional play.
According to the GCF, this Open tournament welcomes participation from all eligible chess players. The highly competitive event would feature some of the country’s top players and promising junior talents.
Guyana Chess Federation President Anand Raghunauth has emphasized that exploring chess development and innovation is crucial. He highlighted that Chess 960 tournament is an excellent opportunity for players to engage with novel ideas and concepts.
Raghunauth has said the GCF would in future be hosting 960 Freestyle tournaments based on players’ feedback after this introductory competition.
Brandon Badal, who specifically requested the Chess 960 format and is providing the tournament venue, has expressed pleasure at hosting the GCF. He highlighted its ability to level the playing field for players less familiar with established chess openings.
Registration is being conducted on the GCF s website, www.guyanachess.gy, and closes promptly at 19:00hrs (7:00PM) today, April 30th, 2025.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top five overall participants and the highest- performing female player.