Anew winner was crowned at the 2016 Brijlal Open Chess tournament, with 22-year-old Ronald Terubea shocking the top order to take out the top prize.

Terubea finished unbeaten with 4.5points out of a possible five, beating top seed Manoj Kumar in the third round and Taione Sikivou in the fourth.  He obtained an easy draw with Oscar Elosen in the last round to finish off an impressive outing.

Kundan Singh Open champion Sikivou settled for second place with four points while Kumar also on four points walked away with the third placing.

In the Intermediate category, Yat Sen student Vinooda Senewiratne clinched first place with an unbeaten 4.5 points.  Phillip Leong was second with four points and newcomer Sandeep Kumar won a third position with four points.

Fiji Chess president Calvin Prasad was impressed with the high level of competition.

“We have had two new winners in as many tournaments, with the veterans under serious pressure from the younger players,” said Prasad.

Prasad said over 30 players participated in the tournament.

“The trend over the past few years is that the majority participants in our competitions are Juniors (U20),” Prasad said.

“They bring a fresh approach to tournament play, and display tremendous energy in the matches overall,”

Prasad thanked the sponsors Brijlal for their support over the past 20 years.

Source: Chess Fiji

Feedback:  leonec@fijisun.com.fj