Guyana’s young chess talents are set to showcase their skills on the international stage as they prepare to compete in the SITTU Barbados Open Chess Championship 2025. The tournament, began on February 20 and will run until February 24 at the Grand Salle in the Tom Adams Financial Centre, Bridgetown, St. Michael. It will see three of Guyana’s finest junior players battling against top opponents from across the region.
Leading the charge is National Junior Chess Champion Ricardo Narine, who was selected by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) to participate in the event. Narine, a two-time national junior champion with an ELO rating of 1714, will compete in the Group B category, where he aims to test his strategic prowess against players with FIDE ratings between 1700 and 2099. Having consistently demonstrated resilience and tactical skill, Narine has dominated rapid chess competitions over the years, and the GCF remains optimistic about his chances of earning valuable rating points.
Joining Narine in Group B is Under-16 National Chess Champion and Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber. With an ELO rating of 1779, Pitamber has embraced the challenge of international competition, seeking to gain crucial experience and improve his ranking in the highly competitive category.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Alex Ubaldo Singh, the youngest of the trio, will make his international debut in Group C (1400-1699). Ubaldo Singh, who boasts an ELO rating of 1462, will be celebrating his birthday during the action-packed weekend, making his tournament appearance even more special.
With a total prize pool of $5,000 USD up for grabs in each category, the tournament promises intense battles and a valuable learning experience for the Guyanese contingent. The GCF has expressed confidence in the players’ abilities and believes that their participation in this event will not only enhance their skills but also contribute to their growth as competitive chess players.
