CAC Games… Khan’s late surge helps Guyana hold champions Colombia

Guyana’s International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master Anthony Drayton and Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan ended the men’s rapid chess competition at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games with a 1-1 draw against eventual champions Colombia in Santo Domingo.
Khan delivered Guyana’s point in the final round by defeating 2424-rated FM Andres Santiago Garzon Camelo. Drayton lost his top-board encounter against 2504-rated IM Esteban Valderrama Quiceno.
The result completed a strong finish for Khan, who won three of his last four games. Guyana ended the 15-round competition in 13th place among 16 teams with eight board points and eight match points.
Beginning with round 10 on Monday night, Guyana suffered a 2-0 defeat against Panama. Drayton went down to 2352-rated IM Jorge Luis Baules Rodriguez, while Khan lost to 2117-rated FM Orlando Andres Leon Archibaldo.
The Guyanese pair also lost both boards against Barbados in round 11. Drayton was beaten by 2221-rated IM Orlando Husbands, while Khan lost to 2189-rated FM Martyn Del Castilho.

Khan started his late run in round 12 when he defeated Jamaica’s 2098-rated FM Shreyas Smith. Drayton lost to 2208-rated FM Joshua Christie, leaving the teams level at 1-1.
Guyana then recorded its second victory of the competition with a 2-0 result against Puerto Rico in round 13. Drayton defeated 2091-rated FM Edgardo Almedina Ortiz, while Khan overcame 2126-rated CM Diego Zilleruelo Irizarry.
The team was unable to maintain that momentum in round 14 and suffered a 2-0 defeat against Guatemala. Drayton lost to 2294-rated FM Winston Darwin Cu Hor, while Khan was beaten by 2224-rated IM Carlos Juarez Flores.
Khan responded in the final round with his victory over Garzon Camelo, helping Guyana secure a draw against the strongest team in the competition.
Drayton and Khan each finished with four points from 15 games. Drayton faced opponents with an average rating of 2286 and gained 23.6 rating points, while Khan competed against opponents averaging 2223 and gained 11 rating points.
Colombia won the competition with 23.5 board points and 26 match points. Cuba placed second, while Venezuela finished third.