Shameem applauds chess team
University of Fiji Chess team representatives can mix it with the best on the world scene.
And the Uni Fiji acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem has lauded the achievements of their first-ever World Universities Online Chess Championship (WUOCC) hosted by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, USA.
The team, consist of seven medical students of the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine and Health Sciences, was placed 113th out of the 202 competing universities in the Blitz events last month.
The team tied with four other universities for 73rd to 76th place out of the 190 competing in the Rapid events.
The team was matched up against internationally rated Grand Masters and Candidate Masters.
Professor Shameem said it was a great achievement by the students and their coaches.
“This is excellent work by our chess club making huge efforts on our behalf,” she said.
University of Fiji Chess Club, coach, and co-organizer, Dr Ricardo Corpuz commended the students and thanked the university for its support.
“As first-time international competitors, we did good, but we are continuously practicing online to improve our skills,” Dr Corpuz said.
He was optimistic of the team’s chances when it competes in the next championships.
“In the end, even if we did not qualify for the finals we still gave our best and showed the other countries that Fiji and the University of Fiji chess team is a team to beat the next time.”