Excitement Builds for the 2026 National Chess Championship Qualifiers in Guyana
Road to the National Crown: Guyana Chess Federation Launches 2026 National Chess Championship Qualifiers
Georgetown, Guyana – February 28, 2026 – The battle for chess supremacy in Guyana kicks off this weekend as the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), with the support of Diamond Fire and General Insurance, launches the highly anticipated 2026 National Chess Championship Qualifiers. The event will take place at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where a diverse mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents will engage in an intense eight-round Swiss tournament.
The stakes are high, with the top players vying for the opportunity to challenge reigning National Champions CM Taffin Khan in the Open category and WCM Aditi Joshi in the Women’s category during the championship finals scheduled for mid-March.
The Open field is set to showcase a thrilling clash of generations. Veteran masters FM Anthony Drayton and FM Rawle Allicock lead a formidable lineup that includes CM Ronuel Greenidge and Keron Sandiford. However, they will face fierce competition from a wave of junior talent eager to make their mark. Under-14 Champion Abel Fernandez Ciria and U12 standout Aidan Tinne are among the youth contingent poised to challenge for one of the coveted top nine qualifying spots. With a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment, players will need to demonstrate both endurance and tactical acumen.
The Women’s category promises to be equally competitive. Former champions WCM Jessica Callender and WCM Sasha Shariff enter as favorites but will need to navigate a challenging field. Veteran players like Treskolé Archibald and Ciel Clement are determined to secure their positions, while rising stars Kataleya Sam (U14/U16 Champion) and Divya Persaud (U12 Champion) represent the new generation eager to upset the established order.
In a significant move to modernize the local chess scene, the GCF has announced that the top eight boards of the Open Category and the top four boards of the Women’s Category will be live-streamed globally on lichess.org. Technical Director and FIDE Arbiter John Lee will oversee the digital broadcast, allowing chess enthusiasts worldwide to follow every move in real-time. Additionally, results and pairings will be updated via chess-results.com, ensuring fans stay informed throughout the tournament.
The first four rounds will take place this weekend, with the final four rounds scheduled for March 7th and 8th. Only the top nine finishers from each category will earn the right to advance to the National Chess Championship, which officially commences on March 14, 2026.
As the pieces are set and the clock ticks down, the excitement is palpable. Who will rise to the challenge and secure their place in chess history? The journey to the national crown begins now.