“With the 45th World Chess Olympiad only three months away, we have also sent in the Open and Women’s Captains for a FIDE Trainer Commission course for international certification,” added Arvind.
The 2024 Vodafone Fiji May Weekender Chess tournament is all set to proceed at H104A (019-023A) in the University of the South Pacific, Suva from 8.30am this Friday.
The 1800 and Under Standard FIDE rating event is expected to be tightly contested between Candidate Master (CM) Rudr Ravi Prasad and Yash Krishen Maharaj of USP who have shown consistent and improving form across the years.
“The primary goal of the three-day event is to allow more Under-1800 players to compete for FIDE standard ratings that will be internationally recognised,” said Fiji Chess Federation general secretary Goru Arvind.
“Since this eliminates some of Fiji’s over 1800 players like CM Manoj Kumar, CM Ronald Terubea and CM Taione Sikivou, it is a good opportunity for younger talent to step up and showcase their chess.
” Younger chess players like Yajas Sharma of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School, Lionel Vaurasi of Yat Sen Primary School, Yash Yuvaan Prasad of Lautoka Central Primary School, Nidish Hettiwatta of Nehru Memorial Primary School, Moses Mario of Marist Brother’s High School, Rajartha Weerasekara of Jai Narayan College, Praveer Singh of Marist Brothers High School, and Apimeleki Tawake of Christian Outreach College are expected to compete for top positions in the tournament.
Female players like women’s candidate Master (WCM) Gloria Sukhu, WCM Tanvi Radha Prasad of Jai Narayan College and WCM Cydel Terubea will reinforce the women’s division in terms of intensity of play.
“With the 45th World Chess Olympiad only three months away, we have also sent in the Open and Women’s Captains for a FIDE Trainer Commission course for international certification,” added Arvind.
“Once we know the results next month, more will be announced for Team Fiji and the pathway ahead to Budapest.”
The tournament will also cater for special the Best Upset, Best Newcomer (Male) and Best Newcomer (Female) to encourage any new member of the public who will play their maiden Fiji Chess Federation event from May 31 to June 2, with nine rounds of play under 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move time control.
All interested players must report to the venue by 8.30am on Friday.
Source – Fiji Chess Federation
