Dramatic play-off crowns Khan National Chess Champion

Taffin Khan emerged victorious after a nail-biting three-game play-off, snatching the coveted title of National Chess Champion, against the formidable Loris Nathoo. Both players had tied with 7.5 points each during the 2023 National Open Championships which led to this final head-to-head showdown.
The play-off event, hosted at the Ocean Spray Hotel in Georgetown, was proudly sponsored by Gaico. The confrontation began with a coin toss by Tournament Director and FIDE Arbiter Irshad Mohamad, to determine on which side of the board the players would start the first game. Nathoo won the toss and elected to play with the white pieces.

The first game, with a time limit of 20 minutes per player, was a tactical battle that ended in a hard-fought draw. Game two, played with 10 minutes on the clock, saw neither side gaining an advantage until Nathoo’s time expired, giving the point to Khan.
Game three, a five-minute blitz, would be the deciding game of the 2023 championship. With only a half point against Khan’s 1.5 points, Nathoo needed to win this one to claim the title. Candidate Master Khan played a solid line, quickly liquidated the major pieces and reduced any possibility of an attack on his fortified positions. The game ended in a draw, with a final score of two points to one in favour of CM Khan.
Nathoo commented, “It is never easy playing against CM Taffin, but it’s always enjoyable. Taffin is a wonderful competitor that brings out the best in you.”
Nathoo went on to say that he thoroughly enjoyed the tournament and was looking forward to continuing the battles next year.

CM Khan related that Game 1 was the most difficult since he ended up with a Queen and Bishop against Nathoo’s Queen and Knight. Aware that with a Queen and Knight, a mating net can be set up, he quickly exchanged his Bishop for the Knight, resulting in a draw.
The play-off culminated a successful season for the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), marked by strong game development among junior and senior players alike, and a surge in interest from new members. The Federation expressed its immense pride in these advancements, attributing them to the dedicated efforts of the Board and its members.
The season ended with a prize-giving ceremony for the top three of the National Open Championships: CM Khan, the new 2023 title holder; second-place winner Nathoo, and third-place finisher Keron Sandiford.
Prizes were also awarded to the top three finishers in the National Women’s Championship: Jessica Callender (first place); Sasha Christina Shariff (second place); and Aniyah Couchman (third place).
Prizes were awarded as well to the top 10 up-and-coming Junior Nationals of the season: Keron Sandiford, Kyle Couchman, Ethan Lee, Matthew Singh, Oluwadare Oyeyipo, Ricardo Narine, Ronan Lee, Nicholas Zhang, Alexander Zhang, and Kishan Puran.
Kataleya Sam was also recognised for her exceptional performance at the XIV CAC Youth Chess Festival held in Trinidad and Tobago last August.
Sam placed third in the Under-10 female division and earned a Conditional Women’s title for outstanding performance. Sam will have to earn ELO rating points of 1800 to claim her title. She was presented with a gift voucher during the prize-giving presentation.
A notable mention was Women’s Champion Jessica Callender, who placed third in the online Blitz 2023 WIM Deborah Richards-Porter Ladies’ Chess Tournament held on December 3, 2023.
The Chess Federation extends its gratitude to the management and staff of Ocean Spray Hotel for facilitating the play-off and granting the use of the facilities on short notice.
The GCF wished to also extend gratitude to all its sponsors, parents, teachers and friends who have helped in the successful development and growth of the game throughout the year. Best wishes for a safe, peaceful and enjoyable Christmas from the Board and Executive Management of the GCF to all members, parents, sponsors and chess enthusiasts.