After nine intense rounds of a thrilling variation of classical chess that promotes creativity and innovation, FM Anthony Drayton emerged victorious in the inaugural 960 Freestyle Chess Tournament hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) and sponsored by Brava Solutions.

The event was held on Sunday, May 18th, 2025, at the Exhibition Centre, Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, Kingston, Georgetown, compliments of the Guyana Pegasus Hotel.

Drayton, no stranger to first place podium, played unbeaten, claiming first place with an impressive eight and a half points. His draw came in a matchup against long-time teammate CM Taffin Khan.

Khan, the defending champion in the upcoming National Open Championships, secured second place with seven and a half points. His draw was against Drayton, and his sole defeat came from current Junior Champion Ricardo Narine.

Fourteen-year-old CM Sachin Pitamber secured third place with 7 points, further solidifying his position as one of the country’s most talented junior chess players. His only losses were to Drayton and Khan.

Fifteen-year-old Kyle Couchman secured fourth place with six points after losing to Drayton, Khan, and Pitamber. Kyle’s tenacity and passion for chess are unmistakable as he continues to establish himself in local competition.

Ricardo Narine, not one to be left behind, finished fifth with six points after suffering three losses. One of his notable wins was against Khan in the sixth round. Narine has proven that his growing skills are paving the way for excellence in his rise to the top. The twenty-year-old losses were against Pitamber, Drayton and Couchman.

Woman Candidate Master Jessica Callender won the best female prize after finishing with 5 points after four losses. Callender continues to challenge herself to grow and develop, making her one of the most successful young women within the local chess community.

The tournament saw notable performances from Alek Ubaldo-Singh, a young upcoming player, who also gained six points. Matthew Persaud, a newcomer to the scene, gained five and a half points, while Joshua Gopaul, and Kishan Puran rounded up the top ten with five points each.

Top five winners were presented with cash prizes sponsored by Brava Solutions and were presented by Mr. Lloyd Harmon. Speaking to the chess players,

Harmon congratulated them and indicated his support to the development of young minds, for which chess serves as an ideal platform. The GCF wishes to thank Brava Solutions for their kind support and looks forward to a continued partnership in chess.

The top twelve boards were live-streamed, thanks to the skills of FIDE Arbiter John Lee, who continues to provide the federation with innovative and technological support. Thanks to the assistance of National Arbiter Kim Shing-Chong and support from Ethan Lee and Italy Ton-Chung.

President of the GCF, Mr. Anand Raghunauth, lauded the tournament as a success, noting its effectiveness in prompting chess players challenged players to depart from their usual strategies and unconventional thinking from the initial stages of the game.

The GCF extends heartfelt thanks to the Guyana Pegasus Hotel for generously providing the tournament venue. Mr. Brandon Badal, the hotel’s Managing Director and an avid chess player, championed the freestyle chess tournament, introducing players to a challenging twist of varied chess openings in every game.

Chess action continues with the National Open Chess Championships, set to begin on Saturday, May 24th, 2025, at the David Rose Special School.