QC triumph at National Inter-School Chess Tournament

…Richard Ishmael excel in Priority Areas Section

Queen’s College’s students dominated the National Inter-School Chess Tournament hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) last Monday, December 8, 2025. The tournament venue, graciously provided by the Bishops’ High School, was packed to capacity with approximately 235 students, marking the largest-ever chess competition held in Guyana.

The Queen’s College Open and Girls’ Teams took first place in both their respective categories, while fellow student Nicholas Zhang copped the championship prize in the Individual Category.
Marian Academy’s Open Team placed second in the Open Team Category, while School of the Nations took home the third-place prize. The New Guyana School Girls’ Team placed second in the Girls’ Team Category, while the Marian Academy Girls Team placed third.
In the Open Team Tournament 2025, Queen’s College students Alexander Zhang, Kyle Couchman, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi, and Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber displayed their impressive skills when they scored a perfect score of 20 points. Marian Academy, featuring Micaiah Enoe, Alek Ubaldo-Singh, Joseph Prendergast and Aiden Tinnie, finished with 13.5 points, and School of the Nations students Nathan Fraser, Gabriel Felix, Jeremiah Jacobs and Landon Mohabir finished in third with 11.5 points.

The Girls’ Team Tournament 2025 saw Queen’s College girls Ciel Clement, Kataleya Sam, Parnita Kishun and Saura Ruplall gaining 18.5 points, while New Guyana School’s Christine Silva, Lusianna Farlot, Olivia Rajmangal and Divya Persaud finished with 11.5 points, and Marian Academy’s girls Angelina Yhap, Kristin Xavier, Tharisha Montes De Oca and Bianca Jessimy secured 11 points.
In the Individual Championship, Nicholas Zhang of Queen’s College emerged as the unbeaten overall champion, while his schoolmate Omar Shariff finished in second place with a perfect five points. Third place went to Hemraj Persaud of The Bishops’ High School, also with an unbeaten performance, while Chelsea Harrison and Javier Davenand of Queen’s College claimed fourth and fifth place respectively, both maintaining unbeaten records as well.

Trophies were awarded to the top three schools of the Priority Areas Programme in both the Open and Girls’ categories. Richard Ishmael Secondary took home the first-place prize in the Open Team Category, while the Georgetown School of Science and St Joseph High School received second and third place, respectively. In the Girls’ Category, Richard Ishmael Secondary also received the first-place trophy, while St Joseph received the second-place trophy and Christ Church the third-place trophy.
Medals were awarded to the top performer in each school in the Individual Category. Mahir Rajkumar – Queen’s College, Vir Narine – Marian Academy, Aditya Bishundial – Bishops’ High, Adiel Hamilton – Georgetown School of Science, Ricardo Thakur – St Joseph High, Darrell Abrams – School of the Nations, Gabrielle Mohabir – St Rose’s High, Chris Burgess – Richard Ishmael, Ishmiah La Cruz – St Stanislaus College, Christian Tafores – St John’s College, Careem McEwen – Dolphin Secondary, Kayran Andrews – Christ Church Secondary, Raiden Ruplall – Mae’s School, Akeela Nurse – East Ruimveldt Secondary, Aalim Khan – Qayyim Academy, Elizabeth Isaacs – Kingston Secondary, and Jesse Fletcher – Queenstown Secondary.
The national event brought together students from 18 schools across Guyana, representing both public and private institutions, competing across team and individual categories. According to the Federation, this year’s championship featured a five-round rapid tournament with a time control of 15 minutes per player. Schools competed in open and girls’ team divisions, each fielding four-player teams, while the individual tournament welcomed unlimited participants from each institution.

The GCF wished to congratulate all participating schools and players for their enthusiasm, discipline, and sportsmanship.
Under the Ministry of Education’s Priority Areas Programme, the Chess in Schools programme has significantly benefited those who had no prior access to the sport. Chess, which complements education, is growing rapidly, as the turnout was significantly more than last year. The annual tournament is expected to grow to include other regions through the GCF’s expansion programme across the country.
Gratitude was also extended to Sunshine Snacks for providing snacks for the students.
The GCF extended heartfelt gratitude to Chief Arbiter John Lee for expertly managing three tournaments concurrently. Appreciation was also extended to the team of chess coaches and arbiters, including GCF President Anand Raghunauth, FIDE Master (FM) Anthony Drayton, CM Taffin Khan, WCM Jessica Callendar, and Keron Sandiford. The Federation further acknowledges the contributions of Assistant Arbiters Oluwadare Oyeyipo, Treskolé Archibald, FM Rawle Allicock, Jorrell Troyer and Joshua Gopaul.
The GCF also expressed sincere thanks to the Priority Areas Programme through the Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Department for their continued support in promoting chess development across Guyana, as well as to The Bishops’ High School for generously providing the venue.