After four days and six rounds of intense competition at the FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad in Barranquilla, Colombia, Team Guyana has had mixed results, with Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber emerging as the top scorer so far.
The nine-round tournament runs from August 16 to August 23, 2025, a release said.
Guyanese coach FM Anthony Drayton is providing updates from Barranquilla, highlighting the sharp display of Guyana’s young chess talents in this highly contested competition.
On Sunday, August 17, Guyana faced a formidable challenge against the host country’s top squad, Colombia Team One.
Although the Guyanese team prepared well, their stronger opponents prevailed on the opening day. Each match was a dynamic display of fighting spirit in a bid to score an upset. Spectators and broadcasters were glued to Boards One and Two of the Colombia vs Guyana matches—Kyle Couchman and CM Sachin Pitamber, respectively.
Computer analysis revealed that Couchman was poised to gain an edge in an equal position, while Pitamber was dominating with a pawn advantage.
Unfortunately, fortunes dwindled after WCM Aditi Joshi and Alexander Zhang lost their matches, leaving the team with only the possibility of a draw. Pitamber obtained a winning endgame but his experienced opponent manoeuvred it into a drawn position, forcing him to accept the truce. Couchman lost in a rook-down endgame.
Rounds Two and Three brought improvement, with Guyana defeating Colombia Team Sixteen 2.5-1.5 and dominating Guatemala 3-1, thanks to excellent performances from all players. Alexander Zhang and Aditi Joshi scored wins on Boards Three and Four.
In Round Four, Guyana faced Venezuela Team One. Pitamber continued his stellar run, beating his 1900-rated opponent on Board Two with relative ease. Couchman blundered in a positional sequence and, though he fought back in a pawn-down endgame, his efforts were not enough. Guyana lost 3-1.
Round Five paired Guyana against Colombia Team Seven. Zhang and Joshi lost, but Pitamber pulled off a brilliant Queen sacrifice to win in style. Couchman, despite several winning chances, had to settle for a draw as his opponent defended well. Guyana was edged 2.5-1.5.
In Round Six, Guyana bounced back, defeating Colombia Team Eleven 3-1, with victories from Couchman, Zhang, and Joshi.
With the final rounds ahead, the team remains united as they continue the mental battles representing the Golden Arrowhead. Pitamber is already contending for the Board Two prize, with the most games won.
The Olympiad features forty countries and eighty-five registered teams.
