Allicock cops first place in Blitz New Year Challenge

Jan 16, 2026 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – FIDE Master Rawle Allicock copped the first-place prize in the Blitz New Year Challenge Chess Competition hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation at the Pegasus Chess Club last Sunday, January 11th, 2026. Dominating the seven-round competition with an unbeaten 6.5 points, Allicock has once again proven himself a formidable force.

Fresh off his stint with the British Chess Federation, the Guyanese-born FIDE Master is now raising the bar for local competition.

Keeping pace at the top, Kyle Couchman secured second place in the tie breaker, also with 6.5 points, truly giving the FIDE Master a run for his money. The two top seeds remained neck-and-neck throughout the event, eventually splitting the point in their fifth-round head-to-head match, played under the 3-minute plus 2-second blitz increment.

Allicock cops first place in Blitz New Year Challenge

(L-R) Anthony Drayton, Jessica Callendar, Rawle Allicock, Kyle Couchman, Aidan Tinnie, Roberto Neto.

Returning veteran Roberto Neto ended the tournament with 6 points. Despite a strong showing, he fell short against the two top seeds, losing to Allicock and Couchman in the fourth and sixth rounds.

The best female prize went to WCM Jessica Callender after she scored 4 points. A prize was given to the best junior player in the competition, Aiden Tinnie, the newly minted U-12 Open Chess Champion. Tinnie ended with 4 points.

To ring in the new year, twenty-four players gathered at the prestigious chess club for an afternoon of fast-paced action. The diverse field, featuring six female players, showcased the perfect blend of competitive fire and friendly sportsmanship that blitz chess is known for.

Scenes from Sunday’s Blitz New Year Challenge at the Pegasus Chess Club

Prize winners shared a total prize fund of $40,000. Under the expert supervision of FM Anthony Drayton, the event ran smoothly, with Drayton overseeing the rounds to maintain the highest standards of FIDE-sanctioned play.

Located at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Kingston, Georgetown, the Pegasus Chess Club is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Sunday. It remains a hub for members to sharpen their skills and master the game of chess.

For more information on the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) or to become a member of the Pegasus Chess Club, visit our official website at guyanachess.gy.

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Blitz New Year Challenge, chess, FIDE Master, Guyana Chess, Rawle Allicock

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