Fourteen-year-old Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi has etched her name in the history books as the 2025 National Women’s Chess Champion. The young chess prodigy clinched the title following a stellar performance in the Diamond Insurance Women’s Chess Championship, held at the David Rose Special School in Georgetown.

Joshi’s journey to the championship was marked by her aggressive and strategic play, which saw her dominate her opponents in the nine-round round-robin tournament. Her campaign began on March 22, 2025, and culminated on April 5 with a decisive victory that solidified her position as the top female chess player in Guyana.

Throughout the competition, Joshi displayed remarkable skill and composure, securing victories against formidable players such as Italy Ton-Chung, Ciel Clement, WCM Sasha Shariff, and Aniyah Couchman. One of her most notable matches was a grueling 69-move endgame against Ton-Chung, which ended in a checkmate. Her only draw came against Treskole Archibald in the sixth round.

This triumph marks Joshi’s third attempt at the national title and fulfills her dream of becoming champion at just 14 years old. Her rapid rise in the chess world has been nothing short of extraordinary, with her earning the WCM title at the last Chess Olympiad in Hungary.

Joshi’s victory is not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for women’s chess in Guyana. The tournament provided a platform for emerging talents to compete and gain international ratings, further enriching the country’s chess community.

The Guyana Chess Federation praised Joshi’s achievement and thanked sponsors Diamond Fire and General Insurance for their continued support of women’s chess. As the new champion, Joshi is expected to inspire a new generation of players while continuing to excel on both national and international stages.