Fiji’s young chess talents are showing impressive skill and composure at the Oceania Youth Zonal Chess Championship being held in Brisbane, Australia. With the tournament currently in full swing, Fiji’s national team is achieving notable success across various age categories, reflecting an encouraging development in the nation’s junior chess scene.
Lionel Vaurasi has emerged as a standout player in the Under-14 Open division, achieving a significant victory in Round Two against New Zealand’s higher-rated Joshua Barnes. He continued to build on this success with a draw in Round Three against Australia’s William Searle and capped off his performance with another win in Round Six against Bryce Chen of Australia.
In the Under-14 Girls division, Latileta Masau also made waves, scoring a remarkable win over the higher-rated Australian player Emma Ye in Round Two. She followed this up with another victory in Round Six against Tonga’s Hinavakamea Helu.
Fiji’s representatives in the Under-18 Open division demonstrated resilience and tenacity, with Praveer Singh achieving a hard-fought victory against Australia’s Rayen Tiong in Round Four. He later shared a tactical draw with teammate Randev Singh in Round Six, showcasing the competitive spirit of the players.
The senior youth players of Fiji have not been left behind, contributing encouraging results as well. In the Under-20 Girls division, Woman Candidate Master Tanvi Prasad rebounded from draws in Rounds Three and Five to secure a win over the higher-rated Angela He from Australia in Round Six. Meanwhile, in the Under-20 Open division, Candidate Master Rudr Prasad finished Round Six strongly, defeating Nauru’s Wiseman Daumana with skillful play.
Team Manager Kristy Fong expressed her pride in the players, highlighting the championship as an excellent opportunity for development. She commended the commitment and growth the players have shown throughout the tournament, setting a positive tone for the future of chess in Fiji.
With the tournament set to conclude tomorrow, expectations remain high for Fiji’s talented young players as they continue to rise to the challenge against formidable competitors from the region.
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