Fiji’s top-ranked woman’s chess player Kieran Lyons finished among the top 15 during the 2023 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship at Melbourne, Australia.
The women’s FIDE master competed in a field of 43 players from Australia, New Zealand, Guam and Fiji.
The Australia-based Lyons defeated Charlotte Ray of New Zealand, Sophie Davis, Elizaveta Gratchev, Sibelle Sulia Van and Katherine Pan, all of Australia, to tally 5/9.
“The Oceania Zonal is an event where we have a chance to compete against the best players from the South Pacific or World Chess Federation (FIDE) Zone 3.6,” said Fiji Chess Federation general secretary Goru Arvind. ”
“We are very thankful to newly elected Oceania Zone president Shaun Press of Australia, and Vodafone Fiji for assisting our national reps through the Zonal.”
National chess champion Taione Sikivou also registered wins over Australian players Jonathan Macmillan, Ilic Goran, Angela Feng, Daniel Wang and Nathan Kong to score 5/9.
Other points registered by Fiji’s national reps were debutante Ryan Lyons holding off Australians Matthew Arthur and Johnluke Corona to a draw, and winning against Eric Maure, also of Australia.
International debutante Yash Maharaj also added to Fiji’s scoreboard.
The 20-year-old won Harnam Singh and held off Australians Matt Radisich, Zaher Sibar Al, James Picone and Yulin Daniel Ding to four solid draws.
