Fiji’s young chess players are shining at the Oceania Youth Zonal Chess Championship in Brisbane, Australia, making notable strides against tough competitors from the region. The national team’s performance across various age categories reflects the growing strength and confidence within Fiji’s junior chess community.
In the Under-14 Open division, Lionel Vaurasi has emerged as a key player, achieving a significant victory in Round Two against New Zealand’s higher-rated Joshua Barnes. This impressive performance was followed by a draw with Australia’s William Searle in Round Three and a subsequent win over Bryce Chen from Australia in Round Six.
The Under-14 Girls division witnessed Latileta Masau also making waves, having secured an important win against the stronger Australian competitor Emma Ye in Round Two. Her success continued with another victory in Round Six over Tonga’s Hinavakamea Helu, solidifying her standing in the tournament.
Fiji’s participants in the Under-18 Open division have displayed commendable skill as well. Praveer Singh scored a hard-earned win against Australia’s Rayen Tiong in Round Four and later drew with his compatriot Randev Singh in Round Six, demonstrating their resilience in a competitive setting.
The senior youth players from Fiji are not to be overlooked. In the Under-20 Girls division, Woman Candidate Master Tanvi Prasad recovered from earlier draws in Rounds Three and Five to secure a win against higher-rated Australian Angela He in Round Six. Meanwhile, Candidate Master Rudr Prasad finished Round Six on a high note with a convincing victory over Nauru’s Wiseman Daumana in the Under-20 Open division.
Team Manager Kristy Fong praised the championship as an excellent opportunity for player development, highlighting the dedication and progress shown by the athletes throughout the event. With the competition concluding tomorrow, Fiji’s chess team is poised to inspire confidence in the future of their sport, showcasing a wealth of emerging talent.