The 2023 Vodafone Fiji National Youth under-20 Chess Championship has come to an end.

The thrilling competition , which was held at University of the South Pacific in Suva showcased some great matches.

The final day saw 11-year-old Yajas Sharma emerging as champion in his pool, defeating Parvish Mohan with a single point in the final.

When asked about his victory, Sharma expressed his enthusiasm for the sport and his eagerness to continue improving.

Sharma’s passion for chess was evident as he shared his thoughts on the tournament.

He mentioned he appreciated the opportunity to compete against strong opponents, as it allowed him to learn and grow as a chess player.

Not only did he enjoy the challenge of facing tough competitors, but he also valued the chance to gain new insights from them.

Sharma’s dedication to improvement was evident when he discussed his plans to analyse the games he played and work on his mistakes.

Keeping notations of his games will undoubtedly aid him in identifying areas for development, allowing him to enhance his skills and strategy.

“I would like to thank my parents they my motivation they have been supporting me all the way, this win is for them,” said Sharma.

“Their support has undoubtedly played a significant role in my success, and their influence will likely continue to inspire me to achieve further accomplishments in the sport,” he said.

In the U20 boys’ division, Rudr Prasad emerged victorious with a one point against Arnav Lal in the final. In the U14 division, Yajas Sharma secured an impressive one point win against Parvish Mohan.