Fiji Sun - 14/09/09

Candidate Master Calvin Prasad successfully defended the chess league title for a fifth year in a row at the Nasese Medical Centre in Suva yesterday.

Prasad points totaled up to 7 out of 7, and said a lot of pressure was on him to retain the title.
"I'm pleased that I have managed to retain this title for the fifth time. It was tough but I'm happy with my 100% score."

"Defending any title is always hard especially in the league as you only play one game each every weekend. The competition was played at a very high level as we were playing on a longer time control," Prasad said.

Veteran Manoj Kumar finished second with 6 out of seven. Arvind Goru settled for third 5.5 out of 7.

Prasad said Kumar was the only opponent who took him right down to the wire.

"CM Manoj Kumar was quite tough to beat, as always" he said.

Prasad said he wants to win the 2009 Courts Homecentres Chess Championship on Saturday. The title has evaded him for the past two years.

"I have set my sights on winning this title. I won in last two years ago and have been unlucky to miss out. I hope with this form would guide me next weekend," Prasad said.