T&T finest chess players will take on some of the best in the world as the T&T Chess Association (TTCA) hosts its first International Masters and Open Chess Tournaments at The Normandie Hotel, St Ann's starting today until August 5.
The event is part of TTCA's celebration to commemorate its 80th anniversary.
National men's champion FM Kevin Cupid will lead the local men of FM Ryan Harper, FM Joshua Johnson and FM Adrian Winter Atwell who are all a part of T&T's Olympiad team as well as FM Michael Pouchet and FM Allan Munro in the Masters section.
Most of the country's players, of various ages, will be taking part in the Open tournament, which promises to be monumental. WFM Javanna Smith, WCM Aditi Soondarsingh (nine-time women's national champion), WCM Gabriella Johnson, WCM Shannon Yearwood and WCM Shemilah James all members of the women's Olympiad Team and WFM Sadiqah Razark. Other players include FM Frank Yee, CM Esan Wiltshire, former Caribbean Champion CM Frank Sears, Dev Sundarsingh, Cecil Lee, Daryl Davis, Sean Yearwood and nine-year-old Rayden Rampersad. Other top junior players include Alan-Safar Ramoutar, Kelvin Dover, Daenon Ramsumair, Zaakir Razark, Gerard Sealy, Reece Roopnarine, Brad Munroe-Brown, Chaya Johnson and Female National Under-12 champion Marliyah Mason-Phillips.
Grand Masters and International Masters from countries including India, Germany, Uganda, England and The Netherlands have registered to take part in the international competition along with players from Venezuela, Cuba and Chile.
Players arrive today from their respective countries. The opening ceremony will take place tomorrow at 4 pm and will be followed by round one at 6 pm. Rounds 2 and 3 are on Saturday from 10 am and 5 pm, respectively; Round 4 is Sunday at 10 am; Rounds 5 and 6 on Monday from 10 am and 5 pm; Round 7 is on Tuesday at 5 pm; Round 8 is the following day also from 5 pm and Round 9 is on Thursday 10 am.
An Open Blitz Tournament is scheduled for the final day at 3 pm followed by the closing ceremony at 7 pm.