THE stage is set for the Kundan Singh Open Chess Championship that will be held this Sunday in Suva.
Organisers are expecting a good turnout for the event judging by the response they received in their coaching session last weekend.
Fiji Chess Federation assistant general secretary Teliko Koroi said a large number of tertiary, secondary and primary school students are expected to participate in various categories which will have individual prizes. She said in the main competition the two top contenders are Candidate Masters Calvin Prasad and Manoj Kumar.
"The departure of veteran Dr Neel Arora has opened up the arena for Candidate Masters Calvin Prasad and Manoj Kumar to go head to head," Koroi said. "Other senior players like Noel Adricula, June Adricula, Christopher Kumar, Goru Arvind and June Clomera are also expected to provide sound competition."
She added young players like Menash Fareed, Vinooda Seniwaratane, Hilda Vukikomoala, Neelam Kumar, Ken Fong, Kabrina Terubea and Jacquiline Masilomani will be favourites in their divisions.
"Since the 2013 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship is around the corner, Kundan Singh Open is an early opportunity for players to see where they stand. We always see new players in every tournament, and this shows that Fiji has a lot of untapped brain for professional chess," Koroi said.