Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (fourth from left), and tournament director Irshad Mohamed pose with one of the stop clocks along with five tournament players (from left) - Ryan Singh, Ronuel Greenidge, Shiv Nandlall, David Khan and Taffin Khan.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) in conjunction with the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will host the Guyana/FIDE International Rating Tournament at the Guyana National Stadium from the July 1 – 5.

The tournament, which will be sanctioned by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is being held to extend ranking privileges to Guyanese players after a number of years.

The tournament will feature six Guyanese players competing against four FIDE ranked players in an effort to obtain international rating points based on their performances in the tournament.

The six Guyanese players, Shiv Nandalall, Taffin Khan, Ronuel Greenidge, David Khan, Loris Nathoo and Ryan Singh, will play against Karl Rapon (2024) from Martinique, Ramario Sanches (1972) from Suriname, Michael Barker (1729) of Barbados and Hayden Lee (1856) of Trinidad.

The tournament will be played in a round robin format with two rounds scheduled each day.

FIDE has donated 20 electronic clocks for the upcoming tournament as well as future tournaments.

At a press conference Thursday at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports building, treasurer of the GCF, Shiv Nandalall, described the tournament as a very "symbolic" development for the players who will be given the chance to receive world rankings in addition to being able to test their capabilities against world-ranked international players.

Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, stated that the ministry was very pleased to be associated with the event, and to play an integral part in the beginning of this "new era" in chess.

He expressed satisfaction with the way the federation has progressed over the years since its rebirth some three years ago. The minister also commended the executives for the “sterling efforts” that they have made towards the local development of chess.

"Since their launching three years ago we have seen steady progress from the federation, from having a steering committee to an executive body," Dr. Anthony said.

The players are expected to arrive next Wednesday and the ministry will provide accommodation for them.

Tournament Director, Irshad Mohamed, thanked the minister for the "vigorous" support that the ministry has given the federation over the years and expressed gratitude to all other sponsors.

Additional sponsorship for the tournament was received from GT&T, Hand-in-Hand Insurance Co., New GPC Inc., Keishar's Gift Shoppe, Sasha Cells, SIM Shipping Agents Inc., and Swiss House Cambio.

It was also disclosed that to further develop the game the GCF has begun the process of training an internationally accredited arbiter, an individual who will officiate over a chess match and be responsible for ensuring the rules and laws of the game are adhered to. Mohamed, has been chosen to take up the position and will receive accreditation after he has been the deputy arbiter at three FIDE tournaments. This upcoming tournament will be Mohamed's first outing as a deputy arbiter at a FIDE tournament.