In an intense battle of wits at the Century 21 National Chess Championships held at Marian Academy, Alexander Zhang and Anaya Lall emerged as the champions in the U-16 category.
Alexander Zhang showcased his exceptional skills, claiming the U16 Rapid Title. Throughout the tournament, he demonstrated his prowess by securing victories against Landon Mohabir, Ethan Persaud, Sachin Pitamber, Alex Benjamin, and Micaiah Enoe. He also displayed remarkable resilience, drawing his remaining matches against Dominic Sam and Kyle Couchman. With a total of 6 points, Zhang secured the top position. Kyle Couchman also finished with 6 points, securing the second spot, while newcomer Alex Benjamin claimed the third position with 5.5 points.
In the Open division, Nicholas emerged as the champion in the U12 class, while Aquilani Swaminadha claimed the Best U10 title and Landon Mohabir secured the Best U8 title.
Anaya Lall showcased exceptional skill and determination, triumphing over her competitors in the Girls’ event despite being the only player with a disability in the competition. The 13-year-old displayed an unbeaten streak, finishing with an impressive 7 points. Along the way, she defeated reigning National Women’s Champion Pooja Lam, former Under-16 title holder Italy Ton-Chung, and former Under-14 champion Ciel Clement.
The Century 21 Chess Competition witnessed a record-breaking number of participants, with 79 students taking part in the event. Notably, the tournament witnessed the highest-ever participation of females, with 25 girls competing, marking a significant milestone in Guyana’s chess history.
The tournament format consisted of 7 rounds of 20 minutes + 5 seconds rapid games, held at the Marian Academy Auditorium and organized by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF). The event provided a platform for young talents to showcase their skills and fostered a competitive yet supportive environment for chess enthusiasts across the nation.