The Fiji Chess Federation is set to host its next major tournament this weekend in Lautoka.
The 2024 Vodafone Fiji National Rapid Chess Championship is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday in Saweni, Lautoka.
FIDE Arena candidate master (ACM) Prashil Prakash of Nadi, Suva-based candidate master Rudr Prasad and Yash Krishen Maharaj are three of the favourites expected to take out the major price.
“There will be nine rounds of play under 20 minutes plus 10 seconds per move for the national rapid title in the West.
“Defending champion Yash Krishen Maharaj has shown consistency across the past two years, and he is one of the top contenders among the youngsters,” said general secretary Goru Arvind.
In the women’s division, national reps women’s candidate master (WCM) Gloria Sukhu, Tanvi Prasad of Jai Narayan College and Cydel Terubea will be facing challenges from Latileta Masau of Dudley Intermediate School and Makayla Sukhu of Suva Grammar School.
The under-20 and U14 divisions will be contested by Yajas Sharma of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School and Lionel Vaurasi of Yat Sen Primary School.
Ashwin Singh, CM Manoj Kumar, CM Ronald Terubea, Donald Ecube and Jun Adricula are expected to further boost the unpredictable competition.
There are lucrative prizes on offer in the open, women, U20 and U14 divisions.
Participants must report to the tournament venue by 8.30am on Saturday, June 29.
