Nine-member chess team to compete at CAC Youth Festival

Nine of Guyana’s most promising young chess players are set to depart for Puerto Rico to compete in the prestigious 20th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Chess Festival, running from December 14th to 21st in the city of Dorado.

The team, representing the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), will compete across multiple age categories, from Under-10 up to Under-18, against talent from across the region.

In a significant boost for the players, two of Guyana’s highest-performing youth athletes have secured corporate sponsorship from Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre through its new Pegasus Youth Development Programme (PYDP).

National Junior Champion Kyle Couchman (U-18 Absolute) and National Women’s Champion WCM Aditi Joshi (U-16 Girls) have become the first ambassadors for the initiative.

They have signed agreements guaranteeing support for travel and competition readiness.

Brandon Badal, Director of Pegasus Suites and Corporate Center, praised the duo’s commitment. “Kyle and Aditi have demonstrated exceptional discipline, integrity, and competitive excellence. We are honoured to support their journeys as they continue to represent Guyana at the highest levels,” Badal stated.

Couchman, aged 16, holds a career-high ELO rating of 2004, marking him as one of the country’s strongest rising players. Joshi, holding the title of Woman Candidate Master, is celebrated for her strategic maturity and composure against elite competition.

The GCF expressed gratitude for the private sector support and hoped the Pegasus initiative would encourage more companies to invest in the country’s rising chess talent.

The team, accompanied by parents and Head of Delegation Tanya Clement, will compete across various categories, including: U-18 Absolute: Kyle Couchman, U-16 Absolute: CM Sachin Pitamber, U-16 Girls: WCM Aditi Joshi, U-14 Absolute: Nicholas Zhang, U-12 Absolute: Abel Fernandez, U-12 Girls: Kataleya Sam and U-10 Absolute: Vir Narine.