Serbian Grandmaster to train Guyana’s National Chess Team

In what is being hailed as a historic leap forward for local chess, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has officially welcomed Serbian Grandmaster (GM) Aleksa Striković to lead an intensive six-week training programme for the national team.

The distinguished International Chess Federation (FIDE) trainer has hit the ground running, with a clear mission to prepare Guyana’s finest minds for the upcoming 2026 Chess Olympiad, scheduled for Uzbekistan, Central Asia, this September.

Renowned for his aggressive and dynamic training methodologies, GM Striković brings decades of elite international experience to the local circuit.

His presence is expected to dramatically elevate the competitive standard of Guyanese chess as the players brace themselves to face powerhouse nations on the sport’s grandest stage.

The national squad currently benefiting from the Grandmaster’s high-level mentorship features a robust mix of established champions and rising prodigies.

The Women’s team consists of reigning National Women’s Champion WCM Aditi Joshi, alongside former champions WCM Jessica Callender and WCM Sasha Shariff, as well as Ciel Clement and Kataleya Sam.

Meanwhile, the Men’s team is spearheaded by reigning National Champion CM Sachin Pitamber and former champion CM Taffin Khan, alongside FM Anthony Drayton, Kyle Couchman, and Keron Sandiford.

Speaking on his assignment, GM Striković expressed immense enthusiasm for working with the Guyanese contingent.

He emphasised that thorough, rigorous preparation is vital for the challenges of the Olympiad and shared high confidence that the intensive six-week block will produce exceptionally strong, tactically sharp players.

GCF President Anand Raghunauth underscored the magnitude of this development, calling it a “defining moment” for the sport locally. Raghunauth noted that the arrival of a Grandmaster is a tremendous opportunity not just for the players, but for Guyana as a whole, as the federation aims to see the team rise to unprecedented heights in Uzbekistan.

The high-profile coaching stint has received valuable developmental backing from the Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA).

In addition to conditioning the national teams, GM Striković will also extend his expertise by providing training sessions to interested members of the wider federation. (Modified Press Release)