The 2024 Vodafone Fiji National Rapid Chess Championship, held at The University of Fiji in Lautoka, was a thrilling event highlighted by the outstanding performances of Candidate Masters Taione Sikivou and Rudr Prasad from The University of the South Pacific.
These two players demonstrated their chess prowess by finishing in first and second place, both achieving an impressive unbeaten score of 8.5/9.
In a tightly contested final, CM Taione Sikivou emerged as the overall champion after defeating CM Rudr Prasad in an extended play-off featuring blitz games with a time control of under 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move.
Yash Krishen Maharaj from The University of the South Pacific secured third place with a score of 7/9, while FIDE Arena CM Prashil Prakash and Deepak Prasad finished fourth and fifth with scores of 6/9 each.
In the National Women’s Rapid Championship, Useli Herath of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School claimed the title with a score of 6/7, followed by Pritha Ram of Korovuto College in second place with 5/7.
Milina Senikuva of Natabua High School placed third with 4/7, with Tanmayee Naiker of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School and Catherine Talemaitoga of Natabua Primary School finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
Goru Arvind, the general secretary, expressed thanks to The University of Fiji and Vodafone Fiji for their support in hosting the championship. He also mentioned the increasing excitement for the upcoming 2024 Vodafone Fiji National School Team’s Chess Championship scheduled for August.