Keron Sandiford and Ciel Clement are leading the National Open and Women’s Chess Championship Qualifiers after four rounds. The tournaments, organized by the Guyana Chess Federation, started on February 28 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. They are set to conclude this weekend.
The National Open and Women’s Chess Championship Qualifiers are underway in Guyana, with Keron Sandiford securing an early lead in the Open section. After four rounds of play at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue, Sandiford has achieved a perfect score of four points. His standout performance came in the third round, where he defeated FIDE Master Anthony Drayton. The victory was sealed when Sandiford advanced a passed pawn to promotion, overcoming Drayton’s counterattack.
In the Women’s section, Ciel Clement holds the top position, though specific details on her games were not detailed in reports. The events, managed by the Guyana Chess Federation, began on February 28 and are scheduled to wrap up this weekend. These qualifiers serve as a pathway to the national championships, drawing competitors to the venue in Georgetown.
Sandiford’s undefeated run positions him strongly heading into the remaining rounds, while Clement’s lead suggests a competitive field in the women’s category. The tournaments highlight ongoing efforts to promote chess in Guyana, providing a platform for local players to showcase their skills.