The 2023 Oceania Zonal Championships (FIDE Zone 3.6) took place from 23-28 January 2023 in Melbourne, Australia with nearly 300 players from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Nauru participating. Both open and women’s sections were 9-round Swiss tournaments with classical time control.

In the open section as many as six players scored 7.5/9 games and play off was required. The 2023 Australian Open Champion GM Temur Kuybokarov defeated IM Gary Lane by a score of 2-0 to win the event. Kuybokarov will represent Oceania in the World Cup.

Final standings:

In the Women’s Zonal Championship two top Australian ladies dominated with Melbournian WGM Julia Ryjanova winning, after scoring 8 points in 9 games. Second place went to WGM Zhang Jilin from Sydney who finished a half-point behind. Third place on tie-break goes to WFM from New Zealand Vyanla Punsalan (6 points).

Julia Ryjanova will represent Oceania in the Women’s World Cup.

Final standings:

Newly elected Oceania Chess Confederation Zone 3.6 President Shaun Press announced at the closing ceremony the plan to have more countries in our region.

Full results can be seen in various websites including here and here.

Text: asianchess.com

Photo: asianchess.com and Chess Victoria Facebook