A largely new group of young chess players will carry Guyana’s hopes at the Inter-Guiana Games in Suriname this weekend, with some preparing to represent the country internationally for the first time.
The eight-member Under-18 squad will compete from October 23–25 against host nation Suriname and French Guiana. Each player earned selection through performances in national classical chess tournaments.
Nicholas Zhang, Darrel Abrams, Jeremy Cole and Abel Fernandez Ciria make up the boys’ team. Ciel Clement, Sana Sreebalakumar, Parnita Kishun and Emma John will contest the girls’ division.
The players were scheduled to leave Guyana yesterday with Team Manager Tanya Warren-Clement, coach Joshua Gopaul and National Arbiter Kim Shing Chong. The officials will help the squad turn its preparation into competitive performances against regional opponents.
Although the group includes new faces, it has a successful recent example to follow. Guyana won chess gold at last year’s Inter-Guiana Games at the National Racquet Centre, and the incoming team will aim to build on that achievement.
The tournament will feature separate male and female divisions in a double round-robin format. Each country will meet the other two twice, with up to four boards per team used in each round.
Players will have 60 minutes each, with a 30-second increment added after every move. That classical format is one in which the Guyanese representatives have already demonstrated their abilities during domestic competition over the past year.
Beyond the medal challenge, the tournament offers the players valuable international experience. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) highlighted its role in developing young athletes’ talent and resilience while giving them a platform to represent the country.
The federation also thanked the National Sports Commission for coordinating the Guyanese contingent and extended its wishes for a safe trip and a successful tournament.
The Inter-Guiana Games began in Suriname in 1967 to promote youth development and strengthen relations among Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Suriname hosts this year after the 2025 edition was held in Guyana.
Chess is one of eight sports on the programme, alongside athletics, basketball, boxing, futsal, judo, swimming and volleyball.
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