U-12 Rapid Chess Championship to commence GCF 2026 season

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will launch its 2026 competitive season this Saturday, January 10, with the staging of the National Under-12 Rapid Chess Championships.

Sponsored by ACADO Guyana (formerly DeSinco) under the MOO! Milk brand: the tournament will take place at the newly constructed ACADO Building, located on Heroes Highway, Rome, East Bank Demerara.

The GCF anticipates turnout of over 50 participants, building on the momentum of last year’s record-breaking event.

Competitors will battle in separate Boys’ and Girls’ categories across the U-12, U-10, and U-8 age groups.

A new crop of champions is guaranteed this year. Defending titleholders Abel Fernandez and Kataleya Sam have aged out of the Under-12 bracket, leaving a vacant throne that has intensified the competitive atmosphere heading into Saturday.

In the Boys’ Championship, several juniors are already being tipped as frontrunners. Javier Davenand, Vir Narine, and the duo of Aiden and Arian Tinnie are among those expected to challenge for the podium.

The Girls’ Championship appears equally open, with Saura Ruplall, Amy Ramphal, and Divya Persaud expected to lead the field. These players bring significant tournament experience to the table, which could prove decisive in the high-pressure environment of rapid chess.

The championships will be contested over seven rounds using the Swiss format. Players will operate under a time control of 15 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move, requiring both tactical precision and quick decision-making.

Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in the primary Under-12 divisions for both boys and girls.

Furthermore, the GCF will present trophies and medals to the top three positions in the Under-10 and Under-8 categories to recognise the progression of younger players.

The GCF has expressed its continued gratitude to ACADO Guyana for its steadfast support.

Through the MOO! Milk brand, the company has remained a vital partner in fostering the next generation of Guyanese chess masters.

Competition is scheduled to begin promptly at 9:30h. (Modified GCF Press Release)