Taffin Khan ready for 2019

– focused on Nationals

Taffin David Khan has always been a name on the lips of many chess aficionados, as he has represented Guyana at its highest level and has had the success to prove that he should be one to watch for in 2019.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, the 26-year-old was asked about his successes in 2018, and he said, “My accomplishment for 2018 is at the Olympiad where I finished with the highest percentage for the Guyana team with (5 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses with a 59 percentage. I am currently the best performing chess player from Guyana who ever took part in the Olympiads. With a 59

percentage before me, the best performing chess players from Guyana were Gordon and Maurice Broomes back in 1980, with 57 for Gordon and 55 from Maurice. Now this percentage comes from taking part in two Olympiads. Besides 2018, in 2008 I was Junior Champion. Then 2010, 2011 and 2012 National Champion. I am the 2nd youngest person to win the National Chess Championship of all time. I am the Youngest to win the National Championship since the Guyana Chess Federation restarted back in 2006.”
At a tender age, Khan recalled how his father and fellow chess player David Khan taught him how to move pieces, which branched him off into playing his first tournament, where he tied for 3rd and copped the best junior player award.
From there, his father continued to be instrumental in his training. As the times modernize, so has Khan’s form of study towards the game, as his training entails him playing against Chess programmes at different levels.
In closing, Khan said his goals for 2019 are to simply continue to make more accomplishments, and to continue to raise his game to be the best with his sights set on the National qualifiers.