Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber is the 2026 National Chess Champion, while Woman Candidate Master Aditi Joshi has successfully retained her title as Women’s Chess Champion for 2026.
The ninth and final round was played last Saturday by 20 qualifying participants. After nine rounds of gruelling, high-stakes competition, CM Pitamber emerged as the definitive winner of the JUMBO JET Auto Sales-sponsored 2026 National Open Chess Championship. Meanwhile, WCM Aditi Joshi showcased remarkable poise, successfully defending her title to remain the National Women’s Champion in the Diamond Fire Insurance-sponsored 2026 National Women’s Championship.
The nine-round robin tournament started on Saturday, March 14, at the David Rose Special School and concluded on March 28 at the National Racquet Centre.
In the Open Category, fifteen-year-old Pitamber dominated the field, steamrolling through his opponents to secure a flawless, unbeaten finish with an impressive 7.5 points, while three hard-fought draws denied him a perfect score; his performance was nothing short of commanding. His most critical tests came in the fourth, sixth and eight rounds, where he stood his ground, defeating FM Anthony Drayton, drawing with finalist, Rolex Alexander and heavyweights CM Taffin Khan and Keron Sandiford. Currently the U16 Open Champion, Pitamber has cemented his status as one of Guyana’s elite chess players, consistently demonstrating remarkable resilience and tactical prowess across both local and international stages.
Securing second place with a hard-earned 7 points is the reigning Junior Champion, Kyle Couchman. No stranger to the high-stakes environment of elite championships, Couchman dismantled his competition with a series of clinical wins and strategic draws. His championship run was highlighted by crucial draws against Keron Sandiford and FM Anthony Drayton, alongside a massive victory over CM Taffin Khan. As one of Guyana’s most prominent young chess talents, Couchman continues on a steady upward trajectory within the chess community.
FM Drayton secured third place overall, finishing with 7 points after tie-breaker rules determined the final standings. FM Drayton’s run was nearly flawless, marred only by a lone defeat from CM Pitamber and two hard- earned draws. His deep wealth of experience provided the necessary edge to secure his
top-three finish. As one of the most seasoned veterans in the Guyanese Chess Community, Drayton remains a profound inspiration to his younger colleagues, setting a high standard for tactical gameplay and competitive consistency.
Taking fourth place with 6.5 points is CM Khan. Despite a challenging run, Khan’s deep tactical knowledge and veteran presence at the board gave him a distinct edge over the field. While he was unable to successfully defend his title this year, he made enormous inroads during the opening weekend with a string of solid victories. Despite setbacks against Couchman and hard-fought draws with FM Drayton, CM Pitamber, and Sandiford, Khan’s performance reinforced his reputation as an elite player. Having represented Guyana in countless arenas, he remains a mainstay of excellence and a powerhouse in the national chess community.
Keron Sandiford claimed fifth place with a total of 5.5 points after a taxing series of games. While the tournament proved challenging, Sandiford’s refined game allowed him to navigate the field effectively. Although he conceded two games to Jaden Taylor and FM Drayton, respectively, and drew with three opponents, his resilience in securing pivotal victories ensured a strong top-tier finish. A mainstay of the local chess scene, Sandiford frequently draws on his experience representing Guyana on the international stage, bringing a high level of strategic depth to every match against Guyana’s seasoned and young players.
Rounding out the Open Category standings were Roxel Alexander and Jaden Taylor, who both concluded with 3.5 points. They were followed by CM Ronuel Greenidge with 3 points and Alexander Zhang, who finished with 1.5 points. Despite a spirited effort in his debut at the National Championship, Leslie Campbell remained at the bottom of the standings, unable to break through and put points on the board this time around.
In the Women’s Championship, WCM Aditi Joshi successfully retained her title with a commanding unbeaten performance, finishing with 7.5 points and drawing matches with WCM Jessica Callender, WCM Sasha Shariff and Kataleya Sam. While a perfect score narrowly eluded her following three strategic draws in the final rounds, her dominance remained absolute. Leveraging a wealth of experience from both local and international stages, Joshi outmanoeuvred the field with precision and poise. Her current standing as a top-rated national female player highlights her dedication to the sport. She remains a role model for her younger counterparts, proving that discipline and perseverance are the keys to championship success.
Securing second place is the experienced WCM Sasha Shariff, a former national women’s champion who concluded the tournament with an impressive 7 points. Like the champion, Shariff remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, showcasing her trademark resilience. She navigated the field with precision, securing victories at crucial moments and holding her teammates to hard-fought draws. Shariff continues to prove herself as a formidable force on the national circuit.
Claiming the third-place spot is WCM Jessica Callender, a former National champion who finished the tournament with a solid 6.5 points. Proving her mettle against a younger field, the veteran standout brought her A-game and tactical strategies to secure several pivotal wins and hard-fought draws. While she conceded her only loss to young Kataleya Sam, Callender’s overall performance was a masterclass in resilience. As a seasoned player who has represented Guyana on the international arena numerous times, she continues to serve as an example and mentor for the next generation of chess players.
Securing fourth place with a strong 6 points is Ciel Clement. No stranger to the high-stakes intensity of championship chess, Clement, known for her composure under pressure, successfully navigated the nine-round tournament with skill and precision, with five victories and two draws. Despite setbacks in the second and sixth rounds, Clement’s veteran experience shone through, allowing her to overcome her opponents when it mattered the most. She remains a formidable presence in national competitions.
Securing fifth place with 5.5 points is the young Kataleya Sam, the reigning U14 and U16 Girls Champion. Fresh off a dominant qualifying run, Sam demonstrated remarkable tactical maturity throughout the championship. Despite facing setbacks in rounds three and four, she staged a brilliant recovery, highlighted by a pivotal eight-round win against WCM Callender and a final round draw against the champion WCM Joshi. As one of Guyana’s most decorated juniors, Sam remains a formidable force to be reckoned with as she continues her climb through the national rankings.
Rounding out the field was deaf player Anaya Lall, who marked a successful return to competition by securing a solid 4 points. She was followed by Treskolé Archibald with 3.5 points and Sana Sreebalakumar, who finished with 2.5 points. Italy Ton-Chung and Parnita Kishun completed the standings with 1.5 points and 1 point, respectively.
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded soon to the top three finishers from each category.
The GCF extends its sincere gratitude to FIDE Arbiter John Lee, Technical Director for the GCF, for his exceptional work in live-streaming all of the boards for each category on Lichess.org and publishing all pairings and results on chess results.com.
The Guyana Chess Federation extends its profound appreciation to our esteemed sponsors, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Diamond Fire Insurance. Their generous support was instrumental in the successful hosting of the 2026 National Championships.
We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to the David Rose Special School and the National Racquet Centre for providing the excellent venues that housed this year’s high-stakes competition.
