Intense over-the-board battles highlighted the opening days of the EnerMech Guyana-sponsored 2026 National Junior Chess Championship Qualifiers, which commenced on Sunday, July 5th, at the Olympic House in Liliendaal. After four rounds of gruelling classical play, Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber leads in the first four rounds of the fiercely contested Group A division of the competition. The fifteen-year-old, who is also the reigning National Chess Champion, put his talent and strategic mastery on full display. With only three rounds remaining, he is firmly on track to secure the top spot.
The premier Group A division, which features Guyana’s top junior players vying for one of nine qualifying spots to challenge reigning champion Kyle Couchman, delivered high-quality games on Day 2. CM Pitamber played unbeaten, leading the pack with 4 points from 4 rounds. In close second and third are Under-14 Open Champion Abel Fernandez Ciria and Alexander Zhang, both sitting comfortably on 3.5 points. Trailing closely in the chasing pack with 3 points each are National Women’s Champion and Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi, Under -14 and Under-16 Girls Chess Champion Kataleya Sam, Nicholas Zhang, and Matthew Singh. The marquee matchup of the fourth round saw an epic, four-hour marathon between CM Pitamber and WCM Joshi, with Pitamber coming out on top.
This year’s newly introduced Group B division has given rising, less experienced junior players an ideal platform to test and show their classical chess skills. Nikhail Raghubir and Shurlan Sparman have distinguished themselves early, both dominating the field to share the lead with 4 points. Young Sanjay Suman is positioned just behind them in clear third place with 3.5 points, keeping the pressure on the leaders heading into the final rounds. Trailing with 3 points each are Tremeur Alleyne, Shameera Dwarka, Mark De Freitas, Axela Vieira, Martin Moore Jr., Raiden Ruplall, and Ameer Shariff.
Medals will be awarded to the top nine qualifiers in the Group A Division, who will advance to the Round Robin stage of the 2026 National Junior Chess Championships due to commence on July 13th. Special prizes will also be awarded to the Best Female, Best Under-12, and Best Under-14 players. In the Group B Division, trophies await the top five finishers, along with the Best Under 10 (open and female) and Best Under-8 (open and female) players. Additionally, for the first time this year, trophies will be presented to top performers from the
Priority Area Schools, recognizing students taught under the Ministry of Education’s chess program.
The tournament, proudly sponsored by EnerMech Guyana Inc., will conclude on Wednesday, July 8th with the final 7th round, followed immediately by the closing and presentation ceremony.
Special thanks to the tournament sponsor, EnerMech Guyana Inc., and the Guyana Olympic Association for providing the venue.
Top twelve games are live-streamed on lichess.org by FIDE Arbiter John Lee.
