what is up with this timing chain

i got a 95 sentra and my stupid timing chain wore down, so i gotta change it out. I started looking at where its located on the motor, and it looks like im gonna have to pull the head, which i REALLY dont wanna do. I even got estimates on having a shop do it for me and they came back with newhere from 1100 to 1500 dollars. Has neone had to change out their timing chain and if so am i gonna have to pull the head?