PITAMBER AND JOSHI EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN THE NATIONAL UNDER-16 CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber and Woman Candidate Master Aditi Joshi  delivered outstanding performances last Saturday, rising as the top players in their  respective categories of the highly competitive Kitty Square Mall-sponsored  National Under-16 Chess Tournament held at the School of the Nations. The  tournament, hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), saw 58 talented junior  players, 36 boys, and 22 girls, battle through seven rounds of rapid chess. Each  player had 20 minutes per game, with a five-second increment per move.  

Pitamber showcased his exceptional skill in the Open division, accumulating an  impressive 6.5 points to clinch the championship title once again. The young CM,  who gained his chess title last year at the previous Chess Olympiad in Hungary, was  the 2024 Under 16 Champion. When asked about his performance, Pitamber said,  ‘I was ecstatic, having won the U16 championships for two years, and I had high  hopes, aspirations, and determination to win. I have improved my performance  from last year, which I’m glad about, and I look forward to retaining my title next  year.”  

The stronger players competing this year, he believed, made the tournament more  thrilling than last year, highlighting the competitive nature of chess. It was a close call for Pitamber as Kyle Couchman was close on his heels, also with  6.5 points, but due to the tie-break system, he emerged as the winner. Pitamber’s  half-point came from the draw with Couchman.  

Couchman finished an outstanding second with his draw against the tournament  champion. Newcomer to the national competition scene, Jaden Todd displayed  remarkable resilience, securing third place with 5.5 points.  

In the Girls’ division, WCM Joshi showcased her tactical prowess, securing 6.5  points to claim the championship title after holding the crown for the National  Under 14 title last year. She stated that she was confident in her potential but was  nervous because of the competition from Ciel Clement and Kataleya Sam. The  young WCM said the competition was very high compared to the previous two  years. Joshi’s draw came from the match with Ciel Clement. 

Recently crowned Under 12 Girls Champion, Kataleya Sam followed closely behind  in second place with 6 points. Sam’s loss came from her match with Joshi. Clement  rounded off the top three with 5.5 points, reinforcing the fierce competitive spirit  on display among the girls. 

In the Open Division, notable performances came from National Under 12  Champion, Abel Fernandez, who placed fourth with 5.5 points. Alexander Zhang,  Mahir Rajkumar, Omar Shariff, Arysh Raghunauth, and Aiden Tinnie all finished  with 5 points each.  

Parnita Kishun finished fourth with 5 points, while Kaija Clement, Tharisha Montes  De Oca, Angelina Yhap, Divya Persaud, Amaya Sharma, and Lusianna Farlot all  ended with 4 points.  

Participants represented various schools in and around Georgetown, reflecting the  growing appeal of chess among the Guyanese youths. Students from the Bishop  High School, Christ Church Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, Marian Academy, New  Guyana School, Richard Ishmael Secondary, School of the Nations, St. Joseph High,  St. Roses High, Queen’s College and Queenstown Secondary played in the highly  anticipated competition.  

The Guyana Chess Federation saw a significant increase in junior participation at  this year’s National Championships, particularly in the U-14 and U-16 age groups.  This success is largely due to the growth of chess programs in Georgetown schools,  both public and private. The Ministry of Education’s inclusion of chess in the  curriculum under the Priority Areas Programme, led by Saeed Zameen, is now  yielding positive results. Some students from participating schools—including  Christ Church, Dolphin Secondary, Richard Ishmael Secondary, Queenstown  Secondary, and St. Joseph High—are now competing at a higher level, which will  enhance their overall abilities and development. Chess offers numerous benefits to  students, fostering critical and cognitive thinking, as well as problem-solving skills. 

The National Junior Chess Championship Qualifiers, an Under-20 event scheduled  for July 2025, will be the next national youth competition and typically draws the  largest number of participants.

The Guyana Chess Federation extends heartfelt gratitude to Kitty Square Mall for  its generous sponsorship and to the School of the Nations for providing a venue for  the competition, ensuring a successful and memorable tournament.  For updates on upcoming competitions and registration details, visit  guyanachess.gy. Stay engaged with the latest developments by following the GCF  on Facebook and Instagram.