By Delwin Neblett | HGP Nightly News|

Chess

15-Year-Old Kyle Couchman Becomes First Guyanese Junior to Surpass 2000 Elo Rating

The Guyana Chess Federation has announced a historic milestone for local chess: 15-year-old National Junior Champion Kyle Couchman is now the first junior Guyanese player ever to cross the 2000 Elo rating mark.

According to the October FIDE Rating List, Couchman is now ranked #2 among all active players in Guyana, trailing only Senior National Champion CM Taffin Khan.

The Elo Rating System—created by Hungarian-American physicist and chess master Arpad Elo—measures a player’s competitive strength and has been adopted worldwide since 1970.

Couchman’s achievement marks a major leap for Guyana’s youth chess programme and cements him as one of the brightest emerging talents in the region.

Squash

Guyana to Host 2025 Senior Caribbean Squash Championships After Hurricane Melissa Forces Relocation

Due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, the 2025 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Senior Championships have been officially relocated to Guyana, to be held at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, from November 23–29.

Guyana stepped up for a second consecutive year to host the region’s premier squash event, reaffirming its strong reputation for hospitality and sports management.

Team Guyana will aim for a fifth consecutive overall championship title, following a dominant clean sweep of all team events in 2024.

Football

Victoria Kings Dominate to Win GPF Regional Division 4C 5-A-Side Football Tournament

The Guyana Police Force Regional Division 4C, in partnership with Hamza Boss + Legal Entertainment, successfully hosted a 5-A-Side Football Tournament on Wednesday at the Cove & John Police Station compound.

Teams representing Headquarters, Sub-Divisions 1, 2, 3, and the Victoria Kings delivered spirited performances, but Victoria Kings emerged as champions with a commanding 6–1 victory over Sub-Division 2 in the final.

Sub-Division 3 (Mahaica Police Station) secured third place, defeating Sub-Division 1 with a strong 5–1 performance.

Tournament MVP Dennis Bishop was recognized for outstanding play, while Assistant Commissioner K. Pareshram praised the event for promoting discipline, unity, morale, and community partnership within the Region 4C policing environment.

Basketball

Guyana and Jamaica Dominate Opening Night of 2025 FIBA Women’s Caribbean Championship

The 2025 FIBA Women’s Caribbean Championship tipped off on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with two explosive matchups.

Game 1:

• Jamaica 86 – 47 Suriname
• Jamaica sent an early warning to the region, led by Tiffany Reynolds, who posted 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

Game 2:

• Guyana 102 – 75 Bahamas
• The home crowd erupted as Amisha Ramlall delivered a game-high 33 points, supported by Ruth Adams with 22 points.

Action resumes today with:

• Bahamas vs Suriname at 16:30 hrs
• Guyana vs USVI at 20:30 hrs

Cricket

New Zealand Clinch T20I Series 3–1 With Dominant Win Over West Indies

New Zealand sealed a 3–1 series victory over the West Indies after a powerful 8-wicket win in the 5th and final T20I on Wednesday.

Batting first, the West Indies were bowled out for 140 in 18.4 overs.

• Jacob Duffy starred again with 4–35 and was later named Player of the Match and Player of the Series.
• Romario Shepherd (36 off 22) and Rovman Powell (38 off 32) offered resistance.

New Zealand comfortably chased the target, scoring 141–2 in 15.4 overs, led by:

• Devon Conway – 47 (not out)*
• Tim Robinson – 45

Windies bowlers Shamar Springer and Romario Shepherd picked up one wicket each.