Over-the-board chess returns with the Gaico-sponsored Grand Prix

After a two-year hiatus, over-the-board chess will finally be returning with the Guyana Chess Federation’s GAICO Grand Prix, which begins on Saturday, March 19th, 2022 at 9:00am at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, EBD and continues there on March 20th, 26th and 27th.

A total of eight rounds would be played throughout the tourney, with classic matches of 90 minutes + 30 seconds added to each player’s clock after every move. This 4-day tournament would be the first of four to be held throughout the year, and would aid in the selection of a local team to compete in the FIDE Olympiad being held later this year.
That championship, typically contested by nearly 200 countries, was initially slated to be held from July 26th to August 8th in Moscow, Russia, but has been removed from the host country due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is now going to be hosted by the All-India Chess Federation in Chennai, India.

Players interested in competing in the Grand Prix are asked to register by 17:00hrs on Friday March 18th on guyanachess.org, and pay a registration fee of GY$2000.
All matches will be played at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, and top senior players Anthony Drayton, Loris Nathoo, Davion Mars and Adrian Roopnarine, along with juniors Jessica Callender and Ethan Lee, are expected to participate in this long-awaited return to in-person competition.
COVID-19 safety protocols would strictly be observed. Trophies would be awarded for the best female player in the tournament, as well as the top male and female junior players. Trophies and cash prizes would be offered to the top three finishers in the tournament, while medals would be given to persons copping 4th to 10th place.
The Guyana Chess Federation hereby expresses its profound gratitude to Gaico Construction and General Services Inc for their generous sponsorship of the four Grand Prix tournaments. For the past 29 years, Gaico has been operating in various industries, from construction all the way to marine, oil spill, and waste management.
Gaico have been constantly expanding in an attempt to keep up with the fast-paced development of Guyana, and for their entire lifetime have been committed to giving back to the people. Gaico’s longstanding relationship with the Guyana Chess Federation is another way in which Gaico support the development and future of Guyana through constructive recreation and building of many critical thinking skills.
The tournament will be supervised by FIDE arbiters John Lee and Anand Raghunauth.