Team Fiji’s Yash Krishen Maharaj is making his mark at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with an outstanding 3 wins from 4 games!
The young tactician has been a major force for Fiji’s Open Team, scoring wins against higher-rated opponents including Rivera Joshua Pedrosa of Puerto Rico and Homayoun Mohtaat of Afghanistan.
In Round 3, the Fiji Open Team faced Niger and produced a fantastic 3-1 team victory, with every player contributing:
♟️ Board 1: CM Goru Arvind drew Abdoul-Karim Seydou Mahamadou ♟️ Board 2: CM Rudr Prasad defeated Aboubacar Akarintkitt in a bishop versus knight endgame ♟️ Board 3: CM Ronald Terubea drew Mouhammed Oumarou ♟️ Board 4: Yash Krishen Maharaj defeated Ibrahim Mounkaila
A strong all-round team performance and an important win for Fiji! 🇫🇯
With 206 countries competing at the Olympiad, Fiji is proudly representing the Pacific alongside Tonga, Kiribati, Guam, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and the Marshall Islands.
Our teams remain in high spirits, with several rounds still to come. As CM Goru Arvind put it, “Yash Maharaj has brought fire to our scoreboard.” 🔥♟️
Team Fiji is based at Karvon Plaza Hotel alongside teams from Palau, Guernsey, US Virgin Islands, Cambodia and Burundi.
The journey to Uzbekistan was a long one, with the team travelling approximately 41 hours via connecting flights through Singapore, India and Kazakhstan. But the determination, fighting spirit and team unity have made the journey worthwhile.
Keep going, Team Fiji! 🇫🇯♟️ We are behind you every move of the way!
The 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad is officially underway, and it has been an incredible experience having Fiji here among nearly 400 teams from around the world.
Our teams have already had some memorable moments.
Round 1: Both teams faced higher-rated opposition, with our Open Team playing Malaysia and the Women’s Team facing Croatia. Our players fought hard, with all games lasting over three hours. Our players showed great determination and fighting spirit throughout.
Round 2: The Women’s Team bounced back brilliantly with a 4-0 victory over Comoros Islands!
Our Open Team also fought hard against Puerto Rico, going down 3-1. A special highlight was Yash Maharaj’s win on Board 4 against higher-rated Joshua Pedrosa, earning a valuable point for Fiji.
Today, we head into Round 3, with the Open Team facing Niger and the Women’s Team taking on Uganda.
There are 11 rounds in total, so the journey is only just beginning!
We’re sharing some photos from the fantastic opening ceremony and team photos taken before Rounds 1 and 2. It’s a special feeling seeing our players proudly representing Fiji on this world stage.
To everyone following, supporting and cheering for our team, vinaka vakalevu. Your messages and support mean a lot to the players and officials.
🇫🇯♟️ MAHARAJ BRINGS FIRE TO THE CHESS OLYMPIAD! 🔥
Team Fiji’s Yash Krishen Maharaj is making his mark at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with an outstanding 3 wins from 4 games!
The young tactician has been a major force for Fiji’s Open Team, scoring wins against higher-rated opponents including Rivera Joshua Pedrosa of Puerto Rico and Homayoun Mohtaat of Afghanistan.
In Round 3, the Fiji Open Team faced Niger and produced a fantastic 3-1 team victory, with every player contributing:
♟️ Board 1: CM Goru Arvind drew Abdoul-Karim Seydou Mahamadou
♟️ Board 2: CM Rudr Prasad defeated Aboubacar Akarintkitt in a bishop versus knight endgame
♟️ Board 3: CM Ronald Terubea drew Mouhammed Oumarou
♟️ Board 4: Yash Krishen Maharaj defeated Ibrahim Mounkaila
A strong all-round team performance and an important win for Fiji! 🇫🇯
With 206 countries competing at the Olympiad, Fiji is proudly representing the Pacific alongside Tonga, Kiribati, Guam, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and the Marshall Islands.
Our teams remain in high spirits, with several rounds still to come. As CM Goru Arvind put it, “Yash Maharaj has brought fire to our scoreboard.” 🔥♟️
Team Fiji is based at Karvon Plaza Hotel alongside teams from Palau, Guernsey, US Virgin Islands, Cambodia and Burundi.
The journey to Uzbekistan was a long one, with the team travelling approximately 41 hours via connecting flights through Singapore, India and Kazakhstan. But the determination, fighting spirit and team unity have made the journey worthwhile.
Keep going, Team Fiji! 🇫🇯♟️ We are behind you every move of the way!
#TeamFiji #FijiChess #ChessOlympiad #ChessOlympiad2026 #Samarkand2026 #YashMaharaj #FijiProud #PacificChess ... See MoreSee Less
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Vinaka The Fiji Times 🇫🇯♟️🌏 ... See MoreSee Less
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🇫🇯 Team to the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad. Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 2026 ... See MoreSee Less
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🇫🇯♟️ TEAM FIJI UPDATE FROM SAMARKAND! 🇺🇿
The 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad is officially underway, and it has been an incredible experience having Fiji here among nearly 400 teams from around the world.
Our teams have already had some memorable moments.
Round 1: Both teams faced higher-rated opposition, with our Open Team playing Malaysia and the Women’s Team facing Croatia. Our players fought hard, with all games lasting over three hours. Our players showed great determination and fighting spirit throughout.
Round 2: The Women’s Team bounced back brilliantly with a 4-0 victory over Comoros Islands!
Our Open Team also fought hard against Puerto Rico, going down 3-1. A special highlight was Yash Maharaj’s win on Board 4 against higher-rated Joshua Pedrosa, earning a valuable point for Fiji.
Today, we head into Round 3, with the Open Team facing Niger and the Women’s Team taking on Uganda.
There are 11 rounds in total, so the journey is only just beginning!
We’re sharing some photos from the fantastic opening ceremony and team photos taken before Rounds 1 and 2. It’s a special feeling seeing our players proudly representing Fiji on this world stage.
To everyone following, supporting and cheering for our team, vinaka vakalevu. Your messages and support mean a lot to the players and officials.
Let’s go Team Fiji! 🇫🇯♟️
#TeamFiji #FijiChess #ChessOlympiad #Samarkand #ChessOlympiad2026 ... See MoreSee Less
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🇫🇯♟️ FIJI CHESS TEAM DEPARTS FOR THE 46th WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD! 🇺🇿
Our Fiji Chess Team is on its way to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to represent Fiji at the 46th World Chess Olympiad!
This year’s team proudly carries the Fiji flag:
Open Team
♟️ Board 1: CM Goru Arvind
♟️ Board 2: CM Rudr Prasad
♟️ Board 3: CM Ronald Terubea
♟️ Board 4: Yash Maharaj
Women’s Team
♟️ Board 1: WFM Kieran Lyons
♟️ Board 2: WCM Cydel Terubea
♟️ Board 3: WCM Tanvi Prasad
♟️ Board 4: Luisa Corpuz
♟️ Board 5: Latileta Masau
Team Officials
🇫🇯 WFM Hilda Vukikomoala Kunau, Head of Delegation / Congress Delegate / Women’s Captain
🇫🇯 CM Goru Arvind, Open Captain
Joining the team in the photo is Fiji Chess Federation General Secretary, Kristy Fong, sending the team off as they begin their journey.
Sota tale, Team Fiji! Travel safely, play your hearts out and represent Fiji with pride. 🇫🇯♟️
#TeamFiji #FijiChess #FijiChessFederation #ChessOlympiad #ChessOlympiad2026 #Samarkand #SotaTale ... See MoreSee Less
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