Pitamber, Joshi dominate competition at National U16 Chess Championships

Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber and Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi delivered outstanding performances last Saturday, rising as the top players in their respective categories of the highly-competitive Kitty Square Mall-sponsored National Under-16 Chess Tournament held at the School of the Nations.
The tournament, hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), saw 58 talented junior players – 36 boys and 22 girls – battle through seven rounds of rapid chess. Each player had 20 minutes per game, with a five-second increment per move.
Pitamber showcased his exceptional skill in the open division, accumulating an impressive 6.5 points to clinch the championship title once again. The young CM, who gained his chess title last year at the previous Chess Olympiad in Hungary, was the 2024 Under-16 champion. When asked about his performance, Pitamber said, “I was ecstatic, having won the U16 championships for two years, and I had high hopes, aspirations, and determination to win. I have improved my performance from last year, which I’m glad about, and I look forward to retaining my title next year.”

The stronger players competing this year, he believed, made the tournament more thrilling than last year, highlighting the competitive nature of chess.
It was a close call for Pitamber as Kyle Couchman was close on his heels, also with 6.5 points, but due to the tie-break system, he emerged as the winner. Pitamber’s half-point came from the draw with Couchman.
Couchman finished an outstanding second with his draw against the tournament champion. Newcomer to the national competition scene, Jaden Todd displayed remarkable resilience, securing third place with 5.5 points.
In the girls’ division, WCM Joshi showcased her tactical prowess, securing 6.5 points to claim the championship title after securing the National Under-14 title last year. She stated that she was confident in her potential, but was nervous because of competition from Ciel Clement and Kataleya Sam. The young WCM said the competition was very high compared to the previous two years. Joshi’s draw came from the match with Clement.
Recently-crowned Under-12 Girls champion, Kataleya Sam followed closely behind in second place with 6 points. Sam’s loss came from her match with Joshi. Clement rounded off the top three with 5.5 points, underlining the fierce competitive spirit on display among the girls.
In the open division, notable performances came from National Under-12 champion Abel Fernandez, who placed fourth with 5.5 points; Alexander Zhang; Mahir Rajkumar; Omar Shariff; Arysh Raghunauth and Aiden Tinnie, who all finished with five points each.
Parnita Kishun finished fourth with 5 points, while Kaija Clement, Tharisha Montes De Oca, Angelina Yhap, Divya Persaud, Amaya Sharma, and Lusianna Farlot all ended with four points.
Participants represented various schools in and around Georgetown, reflecting the growing appeal of chess among Guyanese youth. Students from the Bishops’ High School, Christ Church Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, Marian Academy, New Guyana School, Richard Ishmael Secondary, School of the Nations, St Joseph High, St Rose’s High, Queen’s College and Queenstown Secondary played in the highly-anticipated competition.
The Chess Federation saw a significant increase in juniors’ participation at this year’s National Championships, particularly in the U14 and U16 age groups.
This success is largely due to the growth of chess programmes in Georgetown schools, both public and private. The Ministry of Education’s inclusion of chess in the curriculum under the Priority Areas Programme, led by Saeed Zameen, is now yielding positive results. Some students from participating schools – including Christ Church, Dolphin Secondary, Richard Ishmael Secondary, Queenstown Secondary, and St Joseph High – are now competing at a higher level, which will enhance their overall abilities and development. Chess offers numerous benefits to students, fostering critical and cognitive thinking, as well as problem-solving skills.
The National Junior Chess Championship Qualifiers, an Under-20 event scheduled for July 2025, will be the next national youth competition and typically draws the largest number of participants.
The GCF has extended heartfelt gratitude to Kitty Square Mall for its generous sponsorship and to the School of the Nations for providing a venue for the competition, ensuring a successful and memorable tournament.