The Guyana Chess Federation has launched an intensive six-week training programme for Guyana’s national chess team with the arrival of Serbian Grandmaster Aleksa Striković, as preparations intensify for the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan.
Striković, a trainer attached to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), will work with Guyana’s top players in a bid to strengthen the country’s performance at the prestigious international competition, which is scheduled for September.
Widely recognised for his aggressive and dynamic coaching methods, the Serbian Grandmaster brings decades of international playing and coaching experience. The Guyana Chess Federation described his visit as a significant milestone in its efforts to raise the standard of competitive chess in Guyana.
The women’s squad includes Women’s Candidate Masters (WCMs) Jessica Callender, a former national women’s champion; Sasha Shariff, also a former national women’s champion; and reigning national women’s champion Aditi Joshi. They are joined by Ciel Clement and Kataleya Sam.
The men’s team comprises Candidate Masters Taffin Khan, a former national champion, and reigning national champion Sachin Pitamber, along with FIDE Master Anthony Drayton, Kyle Couchman and Keron Sandiford.
The Chess Olympiad is regarded as one of the sport’s premier international competitions, bringing together national teams from around the world to compete in a series of matches that test strategy, preparation and endurance.
Speaking on his arrival, Striković said he was excited to work with the Guyanese players and hoped to help them elevate their game by sharing his experience as both a coach and a competitor.
He stressed that thorough preparation would be critical ahead of the Olympiad and expressed confidence that the intensive training programme would produce stronger players capable of competing at a higher international level.
President of the Guyana Chess Federation, Anand Raghunauth, said the Grandmaster’s visit represents a major opportunity for both the players and the development of chess in Guyana.
“The arrival of GM Striković is a tremendous opportunity for our players and for Guyana as a whole. His expertise and commitment will help our team rise to new heights as we prepare for Uzbekistan. This is a defining moment for Guyanese chess,” Raghunauth said.
The federation noted that the Confederation of Chess for the Americas has provided support for Striković’s training programme in Guyana. In addition to working with the national team, the Grandmaster will also conduct training sessions for interested members of the federation.
The Guyana Chess Federation has encouraged the public to follow the team’s preparations and support the players as they continue their build-up to the 2026 Chess Olympiad.
