Publiká riba 22 Aprel 2019
Good evening to all! Welcome to our sister islands and countries in the beautiful island of Curacao!
I understand that except of
1. Curacao, we have present:
2. Aruba, 3. Antigua + Barbuda, 4. Bahamas, 5. Barbados, 6. Bermuda, 7. Jamaica, 8. Guyana, 9. Suriname. 10. Trinidad. 11. Virgin Islands
It is so nice to have you here in this Dutch Caribbean Atmosphere! This friendly atmosphere, brings a lot of happiness for all of us during this chess competition.
We all can learn a lot from chess. Chess means Strategy! Wouldn’t the world be a much better place, if nations and individuals wouldn’t take up arms but sat at a chess table to solve their problems? We would have less wars, less homocides, less suffering and . . . lower taxes!
Because taxes pay for all types of arms and for cleaning up the mess they leave behind. Live to have lower taxes: that’s one thing the world could learn from chess. But: Let me not confuse you – I am not the Minister of Finance: I am the minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.
We aim at the best possible balance and interaction between these four areas, for a solid development of, and durable benefits for, our nation. This requires much thinking ahead and layers of analysis, to be effective and cost efficient. There is usually no way back when you start something. You wouldn’t launch an attack without analyzing options and not making sure you have enough pawns or knights (those cute horses) to reach your goal..
‘Think before you act’: That’s another thing the world could learn from chess.
And, being a woman with many governmental responsibilities that require versatility, strategy, patience and courage, I find it very . . . very . . . very suitable that the most powerful piece in chess is a woman – the queen, who can move vertically, horizontally and diagonally. She can go slow and she can go fast.
Girl power: yet one more thing the world could learn from chess.
Life is like a chess game. Every decision, just like every move, has consequences. Therefore, decide wisely! And chess can learn the World how to enjoy life! I know that you have decided to enjoy life!
I congratulate the Curaçao Chess Federation with hosting these CARIFTA Junior Chess
Championships here in Curaçao. I am certain that you will enjoy your best championship experience ever, right here in Dushi Kòrsou!
But, besides competing in your noble sports, take time to tour our island. Visit distilleries, museums and shopping malls and see, hear, taste and feel how colorful and flavorful our multicultural society is. Then you can truly say: satisfaction and success – that’s what I learned from chess on Curaçao.
I wish you all the very best and declare hereby the 8th CARIFTA Junior Chess Championships 2019 here in Curaçao as . . . opened!
