A promising student from Yat Sen Primary School, Gerad Fong, 12, impressively secured a position in the post-section play of the recent 15-minute Rapid Chess Tournament held in Suva. The tournament took place at the University of the South Pacific Bure, gathering 22 participants divided into two pools.
In pool two, Fong triumphed over notable opponents including Damondar Naidu, Surjeet Singh, Harjeet Singh, and David Bell, making his way to the finals alongside Inoke Matai and Len Raj. In the ultimate match, while Fong did not clinch any victories, his performance was commendable, managing to create tense moments for some of the more experienced players.
The tournament concluded with Nazim Khan, who recently represented Fiji at the Commonwealth Championships in Australia, taking home the championship title by scoring five points, followed by Dr. Virgilo De Asa in second and Matai in third place.
Sponsor Samabula Pharmacy’s Nand Kishore Chand graciously presented prizes to the talented competitors, reflecting the support and enthusiasm for chess in the region.
This event is a testament to the growing interest in chess among the youth in Fiji, which is crucial for the sport’s future. With the ongoing development of talent like Fong and others, the community has much to be hopeful for regarding the next generation of chess players. The excitement within local chess tournaments is expected to grow, especially with upcoming competitions on the horizon.
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