Three of Guyana’s most promising young chess players are gearing up to showcase their skills on the international stage at the prestigious SITTU Barbados Open Chess Championships 2025. The tournament, scheduled for February 20-24, will take place at the Grand Salle of the Tom Adams Financial Centre in Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados.
Leading the Guyanese contingent is 19-year-old Ricardo Narine, the reigning National Junior Chess Champion. Narine, who successfully defended his title in 2024 with an impressive unbeaten record, enters the tournament with an ELO rating of 1714. He will be competing in the Group B category, facing opponents with FIDE ratings between 1700 and 2099.
Joining Narine in Group B is Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber, the Under-16 National Chess Champion. Pitamber, with an ELO rating of 1779, has shown remarkable prowess on the chess board and is expected to provide stiff competition in his category.
The youngest member of the trio, Alex Ubaldo-Singh, will be making his international debut in Group C (ELO ratings 1400-1699). At just 13 years old, Ubaldo-Singh, with an ELO rating of 1462, exemplifies the bright future of Guyanese chess.
This tournament represents a significant opportunity for these young players to gain valuable experience and potentially boost their international rankings. With a prize pool of US$5000 in each category, the competition promises to be fierce and exciting.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has expressed confidence in the abilities of these young talents. GCF President Anand Raghunauth recently highlighted the federation’s commitment to providing consistent training and competition opportunities, which has led to remarkable achievements, including two juniors ranking among the nation’s active top ten players.
Narine’s participation is particularly noteworthy given his recent dominance in local competitions. In the 2024 National Junior Chess Championship, he secured 8.5 points with eight victories and one draw, demonstrating his skill and resilience over the chess board.
As these young Guyanese chess stars prepare to test their mettle against international competition, their performance in Barbados could mark a significant milestone in their chess careers and potentially elevate Guyana’s standing in the international chess community.
The chess community in Guyana and beyond will be eagerly following the progress of Narine, Pitamber, and Ubaldo-Singh as they compete in this prestigious Caribbean tournament, representing not just their personal ambitions but the growing strength of Guyanese chess on the global stage.
