Fiji Sun - May 5, 2009

Australian International chess grandmaster Ian Rogers would be part of the Mohammed Badshah Open Chess Championship at the Olympic House in Suva this Sunday. Fiji Chess Federation president Dr Virgilio De Asa believes that this would be a major boost to the tournament. He said Rogers would also conduct a chess exhibition in the MHCC foyer on Saturday and assist in coaching the local players on Sunday.

“Ian arrives in the country on Thursday and we are planning to have clinics and lectures with the elite players,” De Asa said.

The Open championship is being sponsored by Dr Sanmogam Goundar. The championships is an annual tribute to final year medical student Mohammed Badshah who passed away in a tragic car accident while on holidays in Canada 23 years ago.

Meanwhile, the Primary and Secondary schools chess championship was played on Saturday.

Dhiraj Chand of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School won the secondary school title. The Form Six student was equal on 4.5 out of 5 points with classmate Ravi Bhavsar after the final round. Chand won on a count back.

Marist Brother High School Form Five student Wayne Areki finished third with four points.

Wati Kado of Stella Maris took out the overall primary schools crown. Dr. De Asa said they she was following the footsteps of prominent chess players Hilda Areki and Frentina Antrea who also came through Stella Maris.