Drayton wins 2025 National Rapid Chess Championships
FIDE Master Anthony Drayton easily edged out his opponents, on Saturday, March 15th, 2025 at the Exhibition Centre of the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, to win the Banks DIH ICEE Soft Drinks-sponsored National Rapid Chess Championship title.
2025 Rapid Chess Champion, FM Anthony Drayton, receiving his prize from GCF President Anand Raghunauth
As Guyana’s only FIDE Master, Drayton played unbeaten in the nine-round exhilarating Swiss format competition to secure first place with 8.5 points. His only draw came against National Junior Champion Ricardo Narine.
Almost forty chess players of all ages competed for a chance to win in the Open division, with each player having a time control of 15 minutes plus a 5-second increment after each move.
Ricardo Narine, the 19-year-old who is no stranger to the podium in rapid chess, earned the second spot with 7 points. After losing to Aravinda Singh in the second round, Narine bounced back with continuous victories and two draws with Sachin Pitamber and the tournament’s champion.
Ricardo Narine receiving his prize from GCF President Anand Raghunauth
Candidate Master Taffin Khan placed third with 6.5 points, after drawing with Keron Sandiford and losing his matches with Saeed Ali and Drayton.
Saeed Ali, a chess player for many years, came in fourth with 6.5 points. His losses came against Drayton and young CM Sachin Pitamber, and he had a draw with Singh.
Sandiford also gained 6.5 points, earning him the fifth-place prize.
CM Loris Nathoo and Leslie Campbell, who each gained 6 points to place sixth and seventh, have each been awarded a free month’s membership at the Pegasus Chess Club. Aravinda Singh, who finished eighth with 5.5 points, has likewise been awarded.
Notable performances came from Pitamber, Kyle Couchman and Krishna Singh, who each finished the tournament with 5.5 points.
FIDE Arbiter and Technical Manager John Lee conducted the FIDE-rated tournament, and was instrumental in producing the live feed for the top twelve boards.
Ricardo Narine receiving his prize from GCF President Anand Raghunauth
Cash prizes amounting to $185,000 were awarded to the top five players.
President of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), Anand Raghunauth, who was on hand to present the cash prizes and trophy, compliments of Banks DIH ICEE Soft Drinks, has expressed gratitude to BANKS DIH I-CEE Soft Drinks for their generous support, and to the Guyana Pegasus Hotel for graciously providing the venue for the tournament.
Next on the GCF’s calendar is the National Women’s Chess Championships, which commence on March 22nd, 2025, and will see the top nine qualifiers competing against WCM Jessica Callender for the 2025 Women’s title.
