ALLICOCK COPS FIRST PLACE IN BLITZ NEW YEAR CHALLENGE.

FIDE Master Rawle Allicock copped the first-place prize in the Blitz New Year  Challenge Chess Competition hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation at the  Pegasus Chess Club last Sunday, January 11th, 2026. Dominating the seven round competition with an unbeaten 6.5 points, Allicock has once again proven  himself a formidable force. Fresh off his stint with the British Chess Federation,  the Guyanese-born FIDE Master is now raising the bar for local competition. 

Keeping pace at the top, Kyle Couchman secured second place in the tie breaker,  also with 6.5 points, truly giving the FIDE Master a run for his money. The two  top seeds remained neck-and-neck throughout the event, eventually splitting  the point in their fifth-round head-to-head match, played under the 3-minute  plus 2-second blitz increment. 

Returning veteran Roberto Neto ended the tournament with 6 points. Despite a  strong showing, he fell short against the two top seeds, losing to Allicock and  Couchman in the fourth and sixth rounds. 

The best female prize went to WCM Jessica Callender after she scored 4 points.  A prize was given to the best junior player in the competition, Aiden Tinnie, the  newly minted U-12 Open Chess Champion. Tinnie ended with 4 points.  

To ring in the new year, twenty-four players gathered at the prestigious chess  club for an afternoon of fast-paced action. The diverse field, featuring six female  players, showcased the perfect blend of competitive fire and friendly  sportsmanship that blitz chess is known for.  

Prize winners shared a total prize fund of $40,000. Under the expert supervision  of FM Anthony Drayton, the event ran smoothly, with Drayton overseeing the  rounds to maintain the highest standards of FIDE-sanctioned play. 

Located at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Kingston, Georgetown,  the Pegasus Chess Club is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Sunday. It remains  a hub for members to sharpen their skills and master the game of chess. 

For more information on the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) or to become a  member of the Pegasus Chess Club, visit our official website at guyanachess.gy.