The 2024 Vodafone Fiji National Rapid Chess Championship, held at The University of Fiji in Lautoka, was a thrilling event dominated by Candidate Masters Taione Sikivou and Rudr Prasad from The University of the South Pacific.
These two players demonstrated their exceptional skills by finishing in first and second place, each with an impressive unbeaten score of 8.5/9.
In a closely contested final, CM Taione Sikivou was crowned the overall champion after defeating CM Rudr Prasad in an extended play-off with under 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move blitz games.
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 claimed the fourth and fifth positions, both with scores of 6/9.
The National Women’s Rapid Championship saw Useli Herath of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School emerge as the champion 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 finished third with 4/7, while Tanmayee Naiker of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School and Catherine Talemaitoga of Natabua Primary School secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
General Secretary Goru Arvind expressed gratitude to The University of Fiji and Vodafone Fiji for their support in hosting the championship.
He also mentioned the growing excitement for the upcoming 2024 Vodafone Fiji National School Teams Chess Championship scheduled for August.