Although it is purely a mind game, chess is still compared to many other active sports. This is the observation made by Gillian Benjamin, executive of First Citizens Asset Management, in her speech opening the Caribbean Chess Carnival held recently at the Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.
She noted that the excitement and level of competition felt throughout the Oval when the Red Steel won the T20 cricket competition was likely to be surpassed during the 13th edition of the Caribben Chess Carnival.
The First Citizens Manager Strategic Marketing and Sales found it interesting "how frequently comparisons are made between people or other sports and the game of chess."
Speaking of cricket, she referred to Mushtaq Mohammed, the former Pakistan leg spinner, who said "the role of a spinner in T20 cricket is like that of a chessplayer, in that you need to plan every move." The famous cricketer also said "you must have a big heart and know your strengths which, without a doubt, are so true in chess."
"There are other quotes such as, football is like chess, it's all about position and controlling the board or field. We have even heard analogies of chess and life, reminding us that every move or decision you make can bring you either an advantage or a disadvantage."
Benjamin noted that the alliance between First Citizens and the T&T Chess Foundation which started four years ago was not accidental. "It continues to be part of our strategic direction to ensure the holistic development of young people throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
"We understand the many benefits to be gained from the game of chess, such as increased problem solving skills, the ability to spark creativity and original thinking as well as to stimulate planning and foresight."
As a final parallel, Benjamin quoted GM Vladimir Kramnik who said, 'chess is like body building. If you train every day you stay in top shape.'
"She said First Citizens Asset Management was proud to sponsor the 13th edition of the Caribbean Chess Carnival "and in so doing provide an opportunity for you, the best players from T&T, Barbados, Jamaica and Suriname to demonstrate your top form as you compete for positions and prizes in one of the regions premier junior events."
The tournament which followed attracted a total of 82 players and was keenly fought. Three players from Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago topped the 25 entries in the Under-20 field.
They each scored five and a half points with Barbados champion FM Orlando Husbands taking first place via the tie-break system. Shreyas Smith of Jamaica and T&T's Mahendra Singh won second and third places respectively.
FM Joshua Johnson finished half a point behind the leaders while Isaiah McIntosh of T&T and Justin Parsons, Allon Richards and Bryan Prescod of Barbados scored four and a half points each. Half a point behind them were Elias Issa of Jamaica and Pierre Chang of Suriname.
In the U-14 section CM Sean Yearwood of T&T led the 22-player field with a perfect score of seven. In second place was Kyle Sandiford of Barbados with six while Della Marie Walcott and Karissa Sonoo of T&T scored five points each, placing third and fourth respectively. Half a point behind them was fifth-placed Kaleb Richards while Deonan Ramsumair and Jon Raphael Sealy took sixth and seventh places with four points each.
Another perfect score of seven came from Leigh Sandiford of Barbados in the U-10 group. Behind him were T&T's Rayden Rampersad on five and Athena Martin and Brad Munroe Brown with four and a half each. Sheldon Yearwood finished on four.
In the Novices group all 26 players were Trinis. Winners in this section were Jaedon Maharaj-Ali on six, Enen-Sa-Te Faab Khafra on five and a half, Kofi Melville and Cameron Granderson on five and Matteaus Joachim, Sakshi Kushwaha and Reagan Ragoobar on four and a half each.
Guest speaker at the prize giving function was Darryl Smith, Chairman of the Diego Martin Regional Corporation, who referred to the Chess Foundation's contribution to the Corporation's Sports Scholarship Programme consisting of chess teaching sessions in various areas of the Council's jurisdiction including Carenage, Paramin, Diamond Vale and St Michael's School for Boys.