Yes, we can, says veteran chess player Hayden Lee.
After organising three popular annual open-air tournaments on the Promenade in down-town Port-of-Spain, Lee is confident he has started a movement that would serve to popularise the celebrated mind game among the country’s grassroot population.
“So far,” he notes, “chess has been organised as a sport of the middle class.
My purpose here is to broaden its participation, to bring the well-known benefits of this globe girdling game to the less privileged section of our society.”
Apart from being an enjoyable competitive activity, Lee points out that the game of chess is also rated by experts for its influence in improving the thinking process, enhancing logic and teaching important lessons for life. “Because of these benefits, we believe that chess can play a positive role in helping to improve the quality of our people, especially those at the lower levels. With this objective in mind, we say yes we can.”
So far the Promenade contests have attracted an average of 35 players, including some with FIDE ratings, but Lee now expects that the growing popularity of the nightly chess action on the Promenade would produce an even bigger championship event this year.
With that in mind, he says the 23-day contest, starting at 7 pm on May 1, will be held for the first time under two large tents, hopefully providing a more comfortable setting for the players.
Lee also expects the tournament to have the personal blessing of both Minister of Sport Darryl Smith and Mayor of Port-of-Spain Kieron Valentine.
The competition promises to be keenly fought with a number of rated regulars taking part, including such talents as David Jones, Miguel Francois, Darryl Davis, Doff Drayton, Carl Archer, Sean Cudjoe and Ian Rambally.
Unrated regulars who may well turn into giant killers include Neville Pierre, Alvin Morgan, Michael Peters, Henry Lee, Gerard Portell, Jonathan Forde, Jamal Martin, Nigel Carrington, Larry Richardson, Gerald Williams, Courtney Bartholomew, Ian Best, Andre Smith, Rawlins Toppin, Roger Borde, Naim Bical and Gregory Williams to name a few.
“We expect that what we are doing here is just the start of something much bigger,” says Lee. “Hopefully our success and the impact the game is making at the community level would be duplicated in other parts of the country, involving players of all ages and abilities. I myself and other senior players would be quite happy to assist in starting such groups which, apart from the game’s recognised personal benefits, can also help in promoting family life and in dealing with the country’s crime problem.”
Lee is also hoping that members of the business community would recognise the important role they can play in supporting this worthwhile sporting enterprise.
According to the chess organiser, the prize structure of the Promenade tournament can compare favourably with that of regular club events: Rated: $1,000; $500; $300. Unrated: $600, $300, $200. Best Junior (male) $300; (female) $300. Best Senior Player $300.
The prize-giving function will close the event on May 21 and include a rapid-play contest starting at 1pm, a movie on chess and $40 lunches.
“All chess players are invited to support our effort and to help us demonstrate our motto, yes we can,” said Lee.