Two of Guyana’s up-and-coming chess players have been handed the opportunity of their lifetime after being selected to represent their homeland at the World Chess Olympiad slated for September 23 to October 6 in Batumi, Georgia.
Sixteen-year-old Nellisha Johnson of Christ Church Secondary School and 14-year-old Sasha Shariff of Marian Academy have played excellently for the past year, and have each had an impressive showing at this year’s CARIFTA Games. While they have both received international rankings from the World Chess Federation (FIDE) this year, Johnson also placed second in the National Female Chess Championships.
Nellisha Johnson (left) and Yolander Persaud locked in battle
Expectedly, the team is also comprised of WFM Maria Varona Thomas, and the highly experienced CM Sheriffa Ali will spearhead the team.
“It’s evident that WFM Thomas is our best female player, and CM Ali continues to show improvements and dominance among women/girls in chess,” a statement from the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) said.
The final member on the team is Attorney-at-law Yolander Persaud, who recently registered a win at the May championships.
On the male side of things, Guyana’s Number 1 ranked player, Anthony Drayton, is expected to represent his homeland alongside National Coach Wendell Meusa. The third member of the team is Taffin Khan, former junior and senior national champion, who is consistently successful.
After a huge leap in his international rankings and a successful outing at the national championships, Loris Nathoo will be a part of the team for the first time.
Glenford Corlette will round off the 5-member team. Based upon the criteria of the selection process, Corlette gained more points than CM Ronuel Greenidge, who was the other player being considered as the 5th player.
The criteria for selection includes international ratings, performance, participation in local and regional tournaments, international titles; and other considerations, such as potential and discipline.
