Second GAICO Grand Prix chess tournament begins this weekend

The second GAICO-sponsored Grand Prix chess tournament begins today, April 23rd 2022, at 9am, at the National Stadium at Providence, and will continue on April 24th, 30th and May 1st, with eight rounds being played over those four days.

Due to a late start in this year’s tournament season, there will be time only to host three Grand Prix tournaments this year, instead of the typical four. Players earn Grand Prix points from playing in these tournaments, which give them the opportunity to qualify to represent Guyana at the FIDE Olympiad.
The Olympiad is the highest level of international chess that Guyana competes in. It is typically contested by nearly 200 countries. This year’s Olympiad will be hosted by the All-India Chess Federation in Chennai, India.
More than 20 players have already registered for the Second Grand Prix, including Anaya Lall, Pooja Lam, Mayas Khan, Taffin Khan, Jessica Callender, Emmanuel Primus, Anthony Drayton, Justino DaSilva, Waveney Johnson and Frankie Farley.
Strict COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed. Trophies will be awarded for the best female player in the tournament, as well as the top male and female junior players. Trophies and cash prizes will be offered to the top three finishers in the tournament, while medals will be given to 4th to 10th placers.
The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to express its gratitude to GAICO Construction and General Services Inc. for its 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.
The company has been constantly expanding in an attempt to keep up with the fast-paced development of Guyana, and, for its entire lifetime, has been committed to giving back to the people.
GAICO’s longstanding relationship with the Guyana Chess Federation is another way in which GAICO supports 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.