THE Fiji Chess Federation is working on putting together a team for the upcoming 2016 Chess Olympiad to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in September.

FCF deputy arbiter Gaurav Raicar said an independent panel was working on this.

“A three-member independent panel has analysed some of the best players in Fiji to come up with a shortlist,” Raicar said.

“Baku will be a big event in the chess world with almost 2000 participants from 200 countries. About 14 million euros is budgeted for the 14-day tournament which is scheduled for September 1-14.”

Meanwhile, in their last competition held at FASANOC Olympic House, National Champion Candidate Master (CM) Manoj Kumar stamped a dominating result of 7/7 in the Mohammad Badshah Memorial Open Chess Championship to outsmart top seed CM Calvin Prasad in the four-day event.

Prasad later finished second in the Elite Division with 5.5/7 after he was held to a draw in the final round by Yat Sen Secondary’s Russell Talonga. CM Noel Adricula finished third overall with 5/7.

“This is the final long format championship before the 2016 Fiji Chess Festival in August,” general secretary Goru Arvind said.

He said they were particularly pleased with the performance of young players such as Kabrina Terubea of Nausori High School who caused a huge upset by defeating elite player Oscar Eloson.

“Other teenagers like Rudr Prasad, Russell Talonga and Mayur Prasad are starting to show more experience, and this is very good for local chess.”

The Intermediate Division was won by Rudr Prasad of Deenbandhoo Memorial Primary School with 4/7. He edged Russell Talonga on tie-break since both of them had the same score. Mayur Prasad finished 3rd with 3.5/7.

Young Terubea won the Best Female Player award after she outperformed Women’s Candidate Master (WCM) Gloria Sukhu and finished with 4/7. She also won the Best Upset award in the championship due to her surprise win over Eloson, a player who is ranked much higher than her.

The next event in the Federation’s Calendar is the Rajnesh Parmeshwar Open Chess Championship on June 12, 2016.