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GCF welcomes Serbian Grandmaster Aleksa Striković to lead national team preparations for 2026 Chess Olympiad
Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) proudly announced the arrival of Serbian Grandmaster (GM) Aleksa Striković, a distinguished trainer attached to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), who has begun an intensive six-week training programme with Guyana’s national chess team.
GM Striković’s mission is clear: to prepare Guyana’s finest players for the upcoming Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan, Central Asia, scheduled for September 2026.
GM Aleksa Strikovic (left) in training session with Kyle Couchman and WCM Jessica Callendar.
GM Striković, renowned for his aggressive and dynamic training methods, brings decades of international experience to Guyana. His arrival marks a historic step in elevating the competitive standards of Guyanese chess on the global stage.
The national squad under his guidance includes:
- Women’s Team: WCM Jessica Callender (former National Women’s Champion)
- Ciel Clement
- Kataleya Sam
- WCM Sasha Shariff (former National Women’s Champion)
- WCM Aditi Joshi (reigning National Women’s Champion)
- Men’s Team: CM Taffin Khan (former National Champion)
- FM Anthony Drayton
- CM Sachin Pitamber (reigning National Champion)
- Kyle Couchman
- Keron Sandiford
The Chess Olympiad, one of the most prestigious events in the sport, will see Guyana competing against powerhouse nations in a test of skill, strategy, and endurance. GM Striković’s mentorship is expected to sharpen the team’s tactical edge and boost their confidence as they prepare to represent Guyana on the world stage.
In an invited comment, the Grandmaster expressed his enthusiasm for working with the Guyanese team. He stated his goal to help all participants elevate their game by sharing his extensive experiences as both a coach and a player. He emphasized that thorough preparation is vital for the upcoming Olympiad and expressed high confidence that the intensive training will produce many exceptionally strong players.
GCF President Anand Raghunauth is confident that the chess grandmaster’s guidance will greatly prepare the local team. “The arrival of GM Striković is a tremendous opportunity for our players and for Guyana as a whole. His expertise and commitment will help our team rise to new heights as we prepare for Uzbekistan. This is a defining moment for Guyanese chess,” he said.
The Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA) has provided some support for the chess trainer’s stint in Guyana. GM Striković will also provide training to interested members of the federation.
The Federation invites the public to follow the team’s progress and support the players as they embark on this exciting journey toward the 2026 Chess Olympiad.
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