By Travis Seymour
Guyana’s senior chess team clinched second place at the CARICOM Classic Chess Tournament, held at the Ramada Princess hotel.
Despite a valiant effort throughout the competition, they ultimately settled for silver when Trinidad and Tobago emerged victorious, remaining undefeated and securing the championship trophy with 18 points.
Throughout the tournament, Guyana’s senior team displayed remarkable resilience, suffering their only loss in round 9 against Trinidad after maintaining an undefeated streak.
They secured wins in every round except for draws against Jamaica and Barbados earlier in the competition.
With 14 points, Guyana claimed the second spot, while Barbados finished third.
The youth team from Guyana also demonstrated commendable performance, securing wins in round 9 against Dominica and in round 8 against the Cayman Islands, ultimately finishing in 9th place after a challenging journey.
CM Taffin Khan faced a formidable opponent in Fide Master Joshua Johnson in the final round, resulting in a draw and earning Guyana ½ of a point for the match.
In other battles during the 9th round, the senior Guyana side faced tough competition from the Trinidad team, with mixed results.
Despite their efforts, they were unable to maintain their lead against the team from the Twin Island Republic.
The tournament, sponsored by ExxonMobil, Texila American University, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, E-net, and the CARICOM Secretariat, was organized by the Guyana Chess Federation.
The Trinidad team claimed the top spot, receiving USD $1,500, followed by Guyana with USD $1,000, and Barbados in third with USD $500, along with trophies and medals.
The CARICOM Classic Chess Tournament brought together representative teams from Jamaica, Suriname, the Bahamas, Dominica, and Saint Lucia, showcasing the region’s talent and fostering camaraderie among chess enthusiasts.