Report by Paul Spiller
The 2019 Zone 3.6 was successfully organised by President Roger Orio and Guam Echecs in Tumon from February 17-23 at the Pacific Star hotel.
It also featured important meetings involving Oceania Presidents and delegates and meetings with FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich and treasurer Zhu Chen.
From these meetings proposals have been drafted for developing chess in Oceania and suggestions to involve more of our Pacific neighbours in Oceania competitions.
The Open tournament was won outright by the highest ranked player, GM Max Illingworth of Australia on 7.5/9 who overcame an upset first round loss to local player Felix Lacno whilst the Women’s event was won with a picket fence by Australian WGM Julia Ryjanova.
Second place in the Open was won somewhat unexpectedly although completely deservedly by FM Shaun Press of Australia who was only seeded 10th at the start.
He was undefeated but had crucial victories over Tony Dowden, Angelito Camer and in the last round against Felix Lacno.
Shaun made his first IM norm with this result. Three players tied for 3rd on 6 points also gaining FM titles: Clive Ng (Australia), Manuel Enofre (Guam) and John Duneas (New Zealand). John was also undefeated.
In the Women’s event, Rebecca Stones ( Australia) took clear second on 7.5 points gaining the WFM title and 3rd place went to 14 year old Vyanla Punsalan from New Zealand on 7 points.
