Guyana’s chess team head to Colombia for FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has supported the Guyana Chess Federation’s team of four top junior players as they head to the FIDE World Youth U16 Olympiad 2025, set to take place in Barranquilla, Colombia, from August 16 to 23, 2025.
The Guyanese team will compete alongside participants from around the globe in the prestigious event, jointly hosted by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Colombian Chess Federation (FECODAZ) at the Dann Carlton Hotel in Barranquilla.
L-R: Alexander Zhang, Anthony Drayton, Sachin Pitamber, Aditi Joshi, and Kyle Couchman
Representing Guyana are Kyle Couchman, Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber, Alexander Zhang, and Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi. Accompanying them as coach is International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master Anthony Drayton.
These juniors are no strangers to international chess, having represented Guyana at various Caribbean tournaments and the Chess Olympiad.
Leading the team on Board One is recently crowned 2025 National Junior Chess Champion Kyle Couchman, currently Guyana’s third-highest active FIDE-rated player (1947). On Board Two is CM Sachin Pitamber, the youngest player in Guyana to earn the CM title and current U16 Open Champion, recognised for his skill and dedication.
Alexander Zhang will play on Board Three. A standout performer at the 2024 Inter-Guiana Games and top Guyanese player at the recent CARICOM U16 Junior Tournament, Zhang brings solid international experience to the team.
WCM Aditi Joshi, the reigning U16 Girls and Women’s National Champion, will compete on Board Four. Both Joshi and Pitamber earned their FIDE titles at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary.
Guyana enters the Olympiad as the highest-ranked CARICOM nation, competing against 90 teams and over 350 players worldwide. The tournament will be played across nine rounds using the Swiss System, with a time control of 45 minutes plus 10-second increments.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) believes this event will be an invaluable opportunity for the players’ growth and development.
The GCF also extends its sincere thanks to the NSC for sponsoring the team’s airfare, making this international representation possible.
