Mohabir is Pegasus Young Knights Challenge Champion

Julian Mohabir is the Pegasus Young Knights Challenge Champion after playing spectacularly in the inaugural chess competition hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) at the Pegasus Chess Club on Sunday, September 21, 2025. The twelve-year-old secured the title over young Vir Narine by scoring the same number of points but winning the championship prize based on tie-break criteria, which considered factors such as opponents’ strength and head-to-head results in the seven-round rapid competition. Both Mohabir and Narine finished the event with six points, but the tie-break favoured Mohabir and secured his victory. The young competitors agreed to a draw in their sixth-round matchup.
According to a release, Mohabir, who has an ELO rating of 1457, secured wins against newcomer Mekhel Murphy, Dunamis Singh, Lester Thomas, Javier Davenand, and former U-12 Chess Champion Jeremy Cole. His two half-points came from games with Aiden Tinnie and Narine.
Ten-year-old Narine, who has been steadily improving his performance and recently gained an ELO rating of 1426, won against Sanjay Suman, Arian Tinnie, and newcomers Ace Patel and Mark DeFreitas. His most impressive win came against the Girls’ U-12 Chess Champion, Kataleya Sam (1503), after forcing a positional victory. His two draws were against Aiden Tinnie and Mohabir.
Placing third was eleven-year-old Abel Fernández Ciria with 5.5 points. Fernández Ciria, who holds the U-12 Open Championship title and an ELO rating of 1477, defeated Avery Munroe, Raiden Ruplal, Lester Thomas, Rebha Lachhman, and Amaya Sharma. He suffered a fourth-round loss to Aiden Tinnie after drawing with Cole in the third round.
Fourth place went to Javier Davenand, rated 1437, who ended with 5 points. The eleven-year-old defeated Vrinda Narine, Amaya Sharma, Chelsea Harrison, and Sam. His sixth- and seventh-round games resulted in draws against Cole and Arush Ramnarine, while his only loss came in round five to the eventual champion, Mohabir.
Fifth place was claimed by Aiden Tinnie with 5 points. Tinnie, who recently gained an ELO rating of 1525, drew his games with Mohabir and Narine but lost to Sam. His victories were against Vasu Meghan, Joshua Patterson, Francis Thomas, and Sanjay Suman.
The Best Female prize went to Sam, who placed sixth with 5 points. The current U-12 Girls’ Champion holds a conditional Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title, which she will earn outright upon reaching the required rating.
The inaugural Pegasus Young Knights Challenge for U-12 players was contested at the Pegasus Chess Club, Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, Kingston. Forty-four players competed in the seven-round rapid tournament with a time control of 15 minutes and 5-second increments added after each move. FIDE Arbiter and GCF Technical Manager John Lee officiated the event, assisted by Pegasus Chess Club attendants.

The GCF marked a milestone by fielding FIDE-rated players in a U-12 competition for the first time in its history. This, according to President Anand Raghunauth, reflects the federation’s growth. “We’ve seen a dramatic increase in our number of junior chess players and their performance,” he said. With this growing pool of rated talent, the GCF is setting its sights on improving junior performance on the international stage.
The Federation is also working to position the Pegasus Chess Club as a hub for players of all ages. “Chess is for everyone from 6 to 60 years old. Pegasus Chess Club offers free coaching to anyone who becomes a member and it is open on Sundays from 11AM to 6PM,” GCF Public Relations Director Shiv Nandalall noted.
The GCF extended thanks to participants, their parents, Pegasus Suites for the venue, and Sunshine Snacks for providing refreshments. The tournament is one of several planned at the Pegasus Chess Club, which offers a comfortable space for players to relax, play, and learn. Those interested in joining can visit guyanachess.gy.