Big plans for local chess
Manoj Kumar
Thursday, May 30, 2013
WITH plans to send a male and female team to the 2014 Chess Olympiad in Norway, the Fiji Chess Federation is seeking more female players.
“There is a vacant spot in the team because of a shortage of female players,” FCF president Dr Virgilio de Asa.
“Special invitation is extended to female chess players to take part in coaching sessions for the remainder of the year so that they can be included in the existing qualifying pool in the Women’s National Championship in the first week of December.”
Riding high on the success of local players in the 2013 Oceania Zonal Championship, the Fiji Chess Federation aims to target junior development over the next few years.
“Majority of our elite players are over 30 years of age,” states general secretary Goru Arvind. “Hence, we have decided to run a 10-week coaching sessions every Sunday (starting this weekend from 3pm to 5pm) at the Fiji Club in Suva to help develop our younger players.”
At the end of the 10-week period, those who have a minimum of 90 per cent attendance will receive a certificate after their level of play is assessed.
“Our coaching sessions have been effective based on the past two International events,” states junior development officer Gloria Sukhu. “In the 2012 Chess Olympiad in Turkey, 13-year old Kabrina Terubea scored a hat-trick of wins against Pakistan, Afghanistan and Barbados.
“This was followed by 12-year old Menash Fareed defeating Price Tepuke, the National Champion of Solomon Islands and Australian Alexander Aich in the Oceania Zonal three weeks ago.
“Both Kabrina and Menash are byproducts of our chess coaching sessions, we are proud of how these youngsters have performed against experienced overseas players.”
Source: http://www.fijitimes.com
Any GM?