Artwork by Mike Magnan
Girl, 9, in chess team
Arin Kumar
Friday, December 09, 2011
A NINE-year old girl has been named in the national women’s chess squad that was announced on Wednesday.
Class Four student of St Anne’s Primary School, Jacquelyn Masilomani, forced her way into the extended squad after a great performance at the Womens National Championship last Saturday.
She finished tied for second place after the competition but a tie break system placed her third. She also beat the defending champion, Gloria Sukhu, a veteran of the sport and aunty of Masilomani.
Fiji Chess Federation (FCF) president Dr Virgilio de Asa said Masilomani is a bright prospect for the sport. “She (Masilomani) is a very enthusiastic and dedicated player,” de Asa said. “She has not missed a single chess clinic till now and she shows a lot of promise when she competes,” he said.
He said the extended squad will be given training and an international competition hosted by Fiji in May next year will determine who makes the final squad.
“If the squad has to be cut down to six, she will make but we have to cut it down to four with one reserve.”
“After the inaugural Fiji Invitational tournament next year we will confirm the actual squad.”
Also making the squad is 14 year-old Nausori High School Student Kabrina Terubea.
“She is also one of the good players and from now till May, all players have to work hard to make the final squad.
Other members of the 12 member extended squad include: Kieran Prasad, Isabel Tabore, Hilda Vukikomoala, Gloria Sukhu, Amy Bale, Jeryka Prasad, Claudia Koroi, Wati Kado, Neelam Kumar and Esha Raickar.
The final four-member squad plus a reserve will compete at the Chess Olympiad to be held in Istanbul, Turkey in August next year.
Source: http://www.fijitimes.com
Nice.