National Open Under14 and Under16 champion Kyle Couchman, last weekend won the U14 competition held by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), a release from the GCF stated.
The tournament, which was sponsored by mmg+, saw Couchman ending the seven round Swiss system tournament with six and one half points.
Alexander Zhang was second with 5.5 points while Micaiah Enoe who also ended with 5.5 points, placed third.Couchman received the first place trophy from Product Marketing Manager of mmg+, Diana Gittens, during a simple ceremony at the end of the game.
Gittens said that the partnership with the federation was a part of the company’s commitment to youth development.
“Chess is an important sport that plays a vital role in the cognitive development of children and young people and we are supporting the activities of the Chess Federation in promoting the game among youth.”
Gittens added that the company believes that the Guyana Chess Federation continues to underscore the importance of chess in teaching concentration, evaluation, patience and calculated risk taking.
“It’s an honor to be associated with the development of this sport and its positive characteristics.
This tournament indicates commitment to the game and we are immensely proud of all the young participants”.
Couchman had gracefully conceded a draw in his final game against Micaiah Enoe, after dominating the tournament from the beginning, the release stated.
Couchman, who aspires to represent Guyana at the International level said: “I’m happy about winning because there were some really challenging points but I was able to get over it.
My dream is to go on to represent Guyana at really big International tournaments”.
Couchman defeated Arush Ramnarine, Vivek Persaud, Ethen Pompey, Julian Mohabir and siblings Alexander and Nicholas Zhang.
Ethan Thakurdin, Nicholas Zhang and Vivek Persaud all finished on 5.5 points and were given medals for placing fourth, fifth and sixth.
Julian Mohabir was the best U10 player while Aquilani Swaminadha, this year’s U-12 Open champion placed second and Arush Ramnarine, third.
Landon Mohabir earned the Best U8 trophy while Vir Narine placed second and Lester Thomas third.
In the female second, national player Anaya Lall won the U-14 title.
Lall won against Ciel Clement, Aditi Joshi, Atalya John, Kataleya Sam, Parnita Kishun, Jahzara Jackson and drew with Nemisha Jagmohan.
Kataleya Sam took home two trophies; one for second place in the girls U14 competition and one for being the best U10 player. She finished with six points, her only loss being against the champion Lall.
Ciel Clement was third with 5 points while Nemisha Jagmohan placed second in the U10 division with Chelsea Harrison third.
President of the Guyana Chess Federation, Anand Raghunauth, said that the competition which had more than 70 participants was the largest the federation has organized at the junior level.
“We had a serious competition and the winners were very skillful,” he declared.
