Candidate Master Rudr Prasad successfully defended his title as the National Blitz Chess Champion at the 2025 National Blitz Chess Championship. His remarkable performance along with teammates Yash Krishen Maharaj and CM Goru Arvind from the University of the South Pacific led him to score an impressive 10 out of 12 points, clinching victory based on direct encounter results.
The championship presented a record 50 players competing in rapid game format, each having only 3 minutes plus 2 seconds added per move, which added an exhilarating pace to the matches. The intensity of the final rounds significantly influenced the crowning of the champion. Goru Arvind, a volunteer with the Fiji Chess Federation, described the championship’s atmosphere as “wild,” reflecting the excitement throughout the tightly contested games.
In the women’s category, Woman Candidate Master Gloria Sukhu claimed victory with a score of 8/12, closely followed by Useli Herath and Jacquelyn Masilomani, who garnered scores of 7.5/12 and 7/12, respectively. The event also honored outstanding players in the secondary and primary school divisions, with Zayne Elmond Keshwan from Jai Narayan College winning the secondary title with 8/12 points and Lionel Vaurasi topping the primary category with 7.5/12.
Notably, over 80% of the tournament participants were students, which bodes well for the discovery of new talent, especially with the upcoming 2026 World Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan on the horizon. This participation trend brings hope for the future of chess in Fiji, as young players gain experience in competitive environments.
Special accolades were awarded to George Mow for Best Beginner and Best Upset, while Shaurya Gupta earned the title of Best Upset of the Tournament by achieving a dramatic victory over CM Rudr Prasad in a thrilling finish characterized by a flag-fall.
Overall, this tournament did not just spotlight individual talent but also underscored the increasing enthusiasm for chess among younger generations, fostering excitement for upcoming national and international chess events.
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