In honour of the Independence day of Suriname The Surinamese Chess Federation (Dutch: Surinaamse Schaakbond) will organize the first ever Srefidensi Chess Celebration. This international chess event will be held from 20 to 25 november in the ballroom of Hotel Torarica in Paramaribo. This tournament will be divided in an open and a master class The total prize money is US$ 18,500.

At least nine countries, including Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados will be represented at this event. Such tournaments are good for regional chess players for experience and to gain rating points. The promotion through social media caused great international interest, as several famous grandmasters showed their interest including Vasily Papin, Sergey Kasparov and Sriram Jha.

Partipants in the Masters Class:

1. GM Sriram Jha from India

2. IM Luis Lazaro Aguero Jimenez from Cuba

3. IM Thomas Willemze from the Netherlands

4. WGM Alina L'Ami from Romania

5. IM Jose Vilela from Cuba

6. FM Ryan Harper from Trinidad and Tobago

7. IM Gerardo Lebredo Zaragoitia from Cuba

8. FM Dewperkash Gajadin from Cuba

9. FM Roger Matoewi from Suriname

10. Romario Sanches from Suriname

In the open class players from Suriname, Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and the Netherlands Antilles will face each other. Marcus Joseph from Tobago is the highest ranked player in this class so far. To maintain the level in this class there will be a maximum of 60 participants.

On the last day of the tournament there is going to be a special event for novice chess players on the parking lot of Torarica Hotel.