WCM Shariff targets strong showing in fourth Chess Olympiad appearance

Woman Candidate Master Sasha Shariff is aiming to use her experience and intensive preparation to deliver a strong performance for Guyana at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Shariff, who is preparing for her fourth appearance at the prestigious tournament, told Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive interview that her main objective is to secure valuable points for the national team while continuing her development on the international stage.
Her training currently combines tactical puzzles, advanced endgame study and detailed work on various opening systems. She is strengthening her existing repertoire while exploring new variations that could make her less predictable against international opponents.
Shariff said previous sessions with Serbian Grandmaster Aleksa Striković played an important role in her development. Striković identified specific areas that needed improvement and provided strategic and tactical guidance that she has continued to incorporate into her independent training.

Since those sessions ended, Shariff has reassessed her approach and placed greater attention on the areas she believes could produce the most improvement. Her preparation also includes sharpening her positional understanding, managing her time more effectively and remaining composed under pressure.
Once the Olympiad pairings are announced, Shariff plans to analyse her opponents’ recent games, preferred openings and general playing styles. This research will help her identify their strengths and weaknesses before developing a suitable plan for each encounter.
Having represented Guyana at three previous Olympiads and several other international tournaments, Shariff believes her experience will be valuable. Those events taught her how to compete under pressure, control her nerves and adapt to players with different approaches to the game.
The Olympiad will again expose her to highly rated and titled players from around the world. Shariff identified the strength of the opposition as one of the biggest challenges but is working to improve her concentration, confidence and ability to manage stress, regardless of an opponent’s rating or title.
Beyond her personal ambitions of improving her rating and possibly advancing to another chess title, Shariff remains focused on the overall performance of the Guyanese team. She intends to play solid and resilient chess while supporting her teammates on and off the board.
Representing Guyana at a fourth Olympiad carries deep personal significance for Shariff. The selection reflects years of disciplined training, sacrifice and perseverance, while giving her another opportunity to contribute to the country’s growing presence in international chess.
She also hopes her journey will encourage young Guyanese players to pursue their ambitions. Shariff believes her continued participation at the highest level demonstrates that players from smaller chess nations can earn international opportunities through dedication, talent and consistent effort.
The Guyanese chess player is also looking forward to the Olympiad’s atmosphere, which brings together experienced Grandmasters and emerging talents from different cultures. She sees every match as an opportunity to learn, improve and gain knowledge that can support the next stage of her career. (Michelangelo Jacobus)