THE Fiji Chess Federation (FCF) has confirmed a total prize pool of $1000 for the Rajnesh Parmeshwar Open Chess Championship that will be played this weekend.
The event which is in its tenth year is being sponsored by Australia-based Dinesh Parmeshwar and hosted in honour of his younger brother Rajnesh.
Dinesh's closest friend Asheesh Gautam of New Zealand, contributed $300 to bring the total sponsorship to $1000.
The FCF in a press statement said lucrative cash prizes and specially sculptured trophies have been allocated for the top three winners, the best female player, the best secondary school player, the best primary school players and the best newcomer.
This is the first tournament since the national squad for the Chess Olympiad was named last month.
"It also has been confirmed that all Olympiad representatives will be competing in the Elite Division to increase the excitement of the tournament," said the statement.
"Top seed and Olympiad rep Candidate Master Calvin Prasad is expected to face a rebellious challenge from persistant Candidate Master Manoj Kumar, veteran Dr Neel Arora, Ronald Terubea who broke his (Arora's) 30 game winning streak, Noel Adricula, Christopher Kumar and Goru Arvind."
The national team will use this event as a build-up towards the Chess Olympiad.