Chessmaster wins chess rapid
CANDIDATE master (CM) Manoj Kumar won the Vodafone Fiji Rapid Chess Championship at The University of the South Pacific with an undefeated tally of 6.5/7, drawing only with the talented Yash Krishen Maharaj on the way.
CM Ronald Terubea displayed fine form in second place with 6/7, while Maharaj and exOlympiad rep Prashil Prakash finished third and fourth respectively with a solid 5.5/7.
Provisional women’s candidate master (WCM) Cydel Terubea dominated the women’s division with a perfect score of 7/7, next to provisional WCM Tanvi Radha Prasad of Jai Narayan College who amassed 6/7. USPstudent Jacquelyn Masilomani came third with 5/7, followed by the upcoming Latileta Masau of Dudley Intermediate School in fourth place with 4/7.
“With the 45th World Chess Olympiad approaching closer in the final quarter of 2024, we can see that players are putting in a lot more effort in the games,” states Fiji Chess general secretary Goru Arvind.
“A number of new players are expected to make their international debut, and we hope to make an official announcement in upcoming weeks as we hear more from the host nation.”
The under-20 division was won by Lionel Vaurasi of Yat Sen Primary School with 5/7, rising above second and third-placed provisional FIDE master (FM) Rudr Ravi Prasad and Zayne Elmond Keshwan of Jai Narayan College who had the same score but a lower tie-break. Sandeau Amarasinghe of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School secured the fourth prize with 4/7.
In the under-14 division, Yajas Sharma of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School took the top honours with 4.5/7, edging out second-placed schoolmate S M D N Herath who finished at 4/7. Suyash Naidu of Holy Trinity Primary School and Abiru Herath of
Mahatma Gandhi Primary School came third and fourth respectively with 3/7.
“Our next tournament is targeted in the West of Fiji in the third weekend of the month,” adds Arvind. “Our sport is attracting new players from primary and secondary schools in every tournament, and it is quite encouraging to see that.”
Chad Stanley of Marist Brother’s High School won the best newcomer (male) award by scoring 3.5/7 in his maiden Fiji Chess Federation tournament, while the best newcomer (female) award went to Sheryl Chand of Fiji National University.
Kinura Herath of Jai Narayan College won the lucky draw prize for early Online Registrations via Google Forms on the official Fiji Chess Federation Facebook page.
The next Vodafone Fiji Rapid Chess tournament is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 23 with further announcements to be made soon.