Mastermind siblings Provisional FIDE Master Rudr Ravi Prasad of The University of the South Pacific and Provisional Women’s Candidate Master Tanvi Radha Prasad of Jai Narayan College rose above several challenges to secure the 2023 Vodafone Fiji Under-20 National Chess Champion and Vodafone Fiji Under-20 National Women’s Chess Champion titles respectively.

Provisional FM Rudr Ravi Prasad walloped an unbeaten 8/9 to win the Under-20 title ahead of the talented Adarsh Kartik Maharaj who finished second with 7/9, also registering a sole win against the final champion. Michael Samuela of Marist Brother’s High School sealed the third position with 7/9 but a lower tie-break.

Provisional WCM Tanvi Radha Prasad slipped past a strong challenge by second placed Makayla Sukhu of Suva Grammar High School by virtue of higher tie-break with an equal score of 6/9 to become the Women’s Under-20 National Champion. Milika Senikuba of Natabua High School finished third with 3.5/9.

“With 42 registered participants, this was our biggest Under-20 National Chess Championship yet,” states General Secretary Goru Arvind. “It was encouraging to see a good number of students travel from outside Suva to compete for the event, and the addition of Vodafone Fiji to the mix is a huge boost.”

The Under-14 Boys Division was won by Yajas Sharma of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School with a solid 7/9 which included wins against Secondary School students, while Lionel Vaurasi of Yat Sen Primary School and Anush Chand of Gospel Primary School finished second and third respectively with an equal score of 6/9.

The Under-14 Girls Division was won by the consistent Latileta Masau of Dudley Intermediate School with 5/9, followed by Useli Herath of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Primary School and Vimansa Dissanayake of Deenbandhoo Memorial Primary School in second and third place with a respectful 4/9.

– Fiji Chess