The Fiji Chess Team made a significant mark at the Oceania Youth Zonal Chess Championship 2025, which wrapped up on December 17 in Brisbane, Australia. This prestigious competition showcased talented young chess players from across the Oceania region, and the Fijian contingent excelled, highlighting their skills on an international stage.
Lionel Vaurasi emerged as a standout in the under-14 Open Division. Despite being a lower-rated player, Vaurasi made an impressive victory against New Zealand’s Joshua Barnes in round 2, showcasing his potential against a higher-ranked opponent. His tournament continued with a draw against Australia’s William Searle in round 3 and notable wins over Bryce Chen and Pavle-Jay Ng, both from Australia. His consistent performance throughout resulted in him being recognized as Fiji’s highest scorer.
Latileta Masau also shone brightly in her first international tournament, competing in the U14 Female Division. She achieved victories over Emma Ye from Australia and Hinavakamea Helu of Tonga, and triumphed against Noelle Marie Camacho of Guam in round 7. Despite facing tough competition, she effectively concluded her tournament with two hard-fought draws against Australian players, showcasing her resilience and strategic thinking.
In the U18 Open Division, Praveer Singh showcased impressive tactical skills, scoring a notable victory over Australia’s Rayen Tiong in round 4. He demonstrated his ability to compete against tough opponents with draws against both his teammate Randev Singh and the higher-rated Nachiket Ramprasad in subsequent rounds.
WCM Tanvi Prasad maintained a steady performance in the U20 Female Division, concluding her tournament with a victory against Angela He from Australia, after drawing matches with players from Guam and Vanuatu. Her ability to defeat a higher-rated opponent highlighted her growing prowess in the game.
CM Rudr Prasad emerged as one of the rising stars in the U20 Open Division, securing wins against Wiseman Daumana of Nauru and Maxime Bouchard of New Caledonia, further establishing his reputation in the Fijian chess community.
The Fiji team returned home on December 18, 2025, celebrating their successful participation in the tournament. With numerous strong performances and new talents emerging, Fiji’s chess future looks promising as these young players continue to develop their skills on international platforms.
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