Guyana’s Kataleya Sam won a bronze medal in the U10 female category at the CAC Youth Chess Festival in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday after winning her round nine encounter while Kyle Couchman saved his best for last toppling the U14 champion Kael Samuel Bisnath of Trinidad and Tobago.
Sam, who was unrated, finished third behind Emilia-Rose Leake of Jamaica, rated 1049 who won the division and Moller Reinhard of Guatemala, rated 1276.
She ended on six points after defeating Alejandra Franco Cortes of Panama yesterday with the white pieces.
Apart from losing to the top two finishers, Sam’s only other defeat was to Neyah Martin in her opening match while she gained a bye in the second round.
Also turning in a fine performance was Couchman in the U14 category, who despite finishing ninth, yesterday defeated the U14 champion Bisnath in their board one encounter.
Bisnath, of Trinidad and Tobago, had the white pieces and a superior rating of 1509 but lost to the Guyanese who was rated 1343. Despite the defeat, he ended with 7.5 points, while Couchman ended on six points.
