CM Taione Sikivou of Narocivo, Rewa, had an unbeaten run of five wins and two draws with siblings Tanvi Prasad and Rudr Prasad to clinch the 2022 Vodafone Fiji National Chess Championship. The champion netted 6/7, the same score as CM Manoj Kumar, who finished second after losing the direct encounter to Sikivou. 

20-year-old Yash Maharaj of the University of the South Pacific, CM Goru Arvind and 17-year-old Rudr Prasad of Jai Narayan College finished 3rd, 4th and 5th, respectively, on 5/7.

The championship, with a prize pool of $ 1,000, was officiated by FIDE National Arbiter William Bennion.

After four days of intense chess, the award ceremony graced by Vodafone Fiji Head of Recharge and Distribution, Mr Nilesh Singh, took place. In addition to the trophies and medals, the winners received several mobile phones. 

"Fiji Chess Federation and all its players are thankful to Vodafone Fiji for partnering with our team for the 2022 National Chess Championship, which helped us to select our 2023 Oceania Zonal reps in Australia from 23-28 January," stated General Secretary Goru Arvind.

"The Open and Women's National Champion have qualified to represent Fiji against some of the best chess players from Australia, New Zealand and smaller Pacific Island Countries."

Sixteen-year-old Tanvi Prasad of Jai Narayan College won the Women's National Chess Championship title thanks to superior tiebreaks over Jacquelyn Masilomani. Both scored 4/7. 

Anisha Eshal Bari finished 3rd in the Women's Division with 3.5/7 in her first chess tournament.

Newcomer Zayne Elmond Keshwan impressed in his maiden tournament by winning the Secondary School's Division (4/7) thanks to better tiebreaks over Ayush Chand of Jai Nayaran College and Ryan Kumar, who scored an equal amount of points. As a result, Zayne Elmond Keshwan was given the Best Beginner Award.

"With our official playing venue at Fiji Olympic House becoming operational this month, we are eager to host the 2022 National Blitz Chess Championship in January 2023," said Goru Arvind. 

"The event is once more sponsored by Vodafone Fiji to support our growing sport," he added.

The Primary School's Division saw the victory of Arnav Lal of Deenbandhoo Primary School while Anush Shay Chand of Gospel Primary School and 8-year-old Yash Yuvaan Prasad of Deenbandhoo Primary School secured the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.

The Vodafone Fiji National Blitz Chess Championship will be held in January 2023.