Guyana’s chess team departs for 2026 Olympiad in Uzbekistan

Guyana’s 10-member chess team will leave the country this weekend to compete at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 27.
Five players will represent Guyana in the Open section, while another five will compete in the Women’s division at the biennial international tournament.
The Open team comprises FIDE Master Anthony Drayton, Candidate Masters Taffin Khan and Sachin Pitamber, Keron Sandiford and Kyle Couchman. The Women’s team consists of Women’s Candidate Masters Jessica Callender, Aditi Joshi and Sasha Shariff, along with Kataleya Sam and Ciel Clement.
Drayton, who is preparing for his fifth Olympiad, said representing Guyana comes with a responsibility greater than his individual performance.
“I bring a strong sense of responsibility to the board, the understanding that every time I represent Guyana, I am playing for something greater than myself,” Drayton said.
He intends to compete with discipline and resilience while maintaining the commitment he has shown towards developing the next generation of Guyanese chess players.
Khan believes endurance will be important during the tournament and has promised to fight in every position, regardless of how difficult it becomes.
“The primary value I am bringing to the board in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is unyielding resilience,” Khan said. “Chess at the Olympiad is a battle of endurance, so no matter how tough the position, I will fight for every move to honour the Golden Arrowhead.”
Pitamber will approach the competition with determination and intends to use the opportunity to prove his ability to represent Guyana at the highest level. Sandiford identified perseverance as his main quality and said he will continue giving his best in pursuit of positive results for the country.
Couchman, meanwhile, is focused on producing consistent performances. He said his aim is to remain composed under pressure and deliver his best effort in every game.
The women’s team includes one of the youngest members of the delegation, 13-year-old Sam, who will make her Chess Olympiad debut. Despite recognising the strength of the opposition, Sam said she is prepared to use the courage and skills gained during training to challenge every opponent, including grandmasters.
Shariff intends to compete with integrity, dedication and sportsmanship, while Callender will rely on the tenacity she has developed through years of competing at international events.
Joshi said resilience will be central to her approach as she attempts to turn the skills developed during training into victories for the team. Clement will take respect to the board – for her opponents, the rules, the game, her preparation and the country she represents.
Guyana has competed at every Chess Olympiad since 2014, following the revival of the local game in the mid-2000s.
The 2026 delegation brings together varying levels of experience, from Drayton’s fifth appearance to Sam’s first. The players will aim to compete with discipline, overcome difficult moments and make every result count towards the team’s overall performance.
The Guyana Chess Federation thanked the International Chess Federation, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and ENet for supporting the national team’s participation.