Candidate Master (CM) Manoj Kumar bagged another Vodafone Fiji Rapid Chess title with an impressive performance of 6 out of 7.
He got tough challenges by CM Rudr Prasad and CM Goru Arvind of The University of the South Pacific who held him off to draws.
Prasad came second overall with the same score, but a lower tie-break.
Lionel Vaurasi of Yat Sen Primary School, who is one of Kumar’s top students in chess, bulldozed himself into third place with 5.5/7.
Yash Krishen Maharaj and CM Ronald Terubea came fourth and fifth with an equal score of 5/7.
Women’s Candidate Master (WCM) Cydel Terubea repeated her steamrolling of all opposition with an unbeaten 7/7 in the Women’s Division.
Gloria Sukhu secured second place with 5.5/7, while Latileta Masau of Dudley Intermediate College and WCM Tanvi Prasad of Jai Narayan College came third and fourth with 5/7.
“It was a very versatile tournament with players from Fiji, Philippines, Mexico, India and Sri Lanka to show how widely accepted our sport is,” stated general secretary Goru Arvind.
“CM Manoj Kumar back into winning form is good news as he will spearhead Fiji’s attack in the upcoming 45th World Chess Olympiad in September 2024.”
The Under-20 Division was won by Peter Ricardo of Swami Vivekananda High School with a score of 5/7.
“We do have plans for the fi nal weekend of May to host a major three-day tournament with Vodafone Fiji,” Arvind added.
“Under World Chess Federation (FIDE) requirements, there will be nine rounds of play under 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move for players who are rated 1800 and below, or unrated to allow more new players to achieve an international rating.”
The federation will announce the details of the three-day tournament at the end of the month soon.
