Yash Krishen Maharaj, an Year 2 student at The University of the South Pacific, and Provisional Women’s Candidate Master (WCM) Cydel Terubea clinched the 2024 Vodafone Fiji National Blitz Chess Champion and 2024 National Women’s Blitz Chess Champion titles in a hard fought contest that lasted for 12 rounds with 5 minutes plus 3 seconds per move.

Yash Krishen Maharaj amassed an unbeaten 10/12 to win the title ahead of Provisional FIDE Master (FM) Rudr Prasad who came second with 9.5/12. Candidate Master (CM) Manoj Kumar chased The University of the South Pacific duo in third place with a solid 9/12.

In the Women’s Division, Provision WCM Cydel Terubea defended her title successfully with a score of 7.5/12, while Latileta Masau of Dudley Intermediate School finished second with 6.5/12, and Vimansa Dissanayake of Deenbandhoo Memorial School came third with 5.5/12.

“The tournament attracted a total of 49 participants with almost 75% of them coming from Primary and Secondary School,” states General Secretary Goru Arvind. “We are pleased to note that our younger players are consistently working hard and improving the level of competition in comparison to the past decade or so. This is mainly because of online resources and tech-savvy kids.”

The Secondary School’s Division was completely whitewashed by a talented trio from Jai Narayan College, where Arnav Lal took the first prize with 7/12, closely edging out second-placed schoolmate Zayne Elmond Keshwan who had the same score but a lower tie-break. Kinura Herath of Jai Narayan College secured the third prize at 6.5/12.

In the Primary School’s Division, Yajas Sharma of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School went into an unparalleled rampage that won the top place with 9/12, while Yash Yuvaan Prasad of Deenbandhoo Memorial School was second with a solid 7.5/12. Lionel Vaurasi of Yat Sen Primary School continued his winning form in third place with 7/12.

“The fact that we have Primary School children in the Top 15 is a testament to how the sport is gaining interest across Fiji,” adds Goru Arvind. “The future of any sport lies in the younger generation, and with Vodafone Fiji working with our team, we are hoping to take it further.”

Manu Amoe of Stellar Marist Primary School secured the Best Beginner Award with a score of 6/12 in his maiden Fiji Chess Federation (FCF) event, while Kalisi Nakarawa took home the Lucky Draw Prize for early Online Registration via the official FCF Facebook page.

Arnav Lal of Jai Narayan College added double-celebration to his list by securing the Best Upset Award for beating top-seed CM Manoj Kumar in Round 4 of the tournament.

The next Vodafone Fiji Rapid Chess Championship for February 2024 is tentatively scheduled for the latter half of the month.