Fourteen-year-old, Ayush Chand of Jai Narayan College successfully completed eight hours of training from internationally ranked Grandmasters (GM) from Bulgaria and Australia under a collaboration between FIDE Planning & Development Commission and New Zealand Chess Federation from March 25-27.

“I would like to thank World Chess Federation (FIDE) for such opportunities provided to Fiji as it enables us to learn and develop further in chess,” said Chand.
“Our trainers were GM Ian Rogers (Australia) and GM Dejan Bojkov (Bulgaria) who trained us on Endgame Essentials, Decision-Making Essentials and Positional Knowledge.”
Chand also added that during the lessons, he learnt how to deal with different end-game scenarios and how to draw or win them. Training participants had to make the best decisions in puzzles.

“Overall, the training has has helped me a lot because I struggle at making optimal decisions in middle-game, and this usually makes it a lot harder to win later,” he added.

Global Chess League

Meanwhile, in the Global Chess League where over 140 International Amateur Chess Teams are playing, Team Fiji managed to add some points in the circuit.

In the match against Kraaifontein Chess Club (South Africa), Fiji’s opponents started strong when Board 4 Prashil Prakash fell to Casper Mabaya in both games.

Fiji’s remaining boards fought back well where Board 1 Candidate Master (CM) Ronald Terubea beat Brooklyn Waguta 2 – 0, Board 2 Avinesh Nadan outwitted Matthew Opperman 2 – 0, Board 3 CM Noel Adricula won against Darryl Jacobs 2 – 0 and Board 5 CM Goru Arvind defeated Paul Wilson 2 – 0.

Fiji won against Kraaifontein Chess Club (South Africa) 8 – 2.

“Chess players from around the nation are waiting for face-to-face tournaments in parallel,” said Fiji Chess Federation general secretary Goru Arvind.
“With COVID-19 restrictions and masks coming off, Fiji Chess Federation is in talks with key stakeholders and The University of Fiji for a tournament in Lautoka to complement the ones that will be held in Suva.”
All formal chess tournaments will be announced via the Fiji Chess Federation Facebook page in upcoming weeks.