Oceania Chess Confederation Holds Online Meeting

Zone 3.6 President Shaun Press held an online meeting of the active Oceania Chess Confederation today, 21st February 2025, via Zoom. Oceania recently held its Zonal chess championships. See GM Temur Kuybokarov and WGM July Ryjanova Top Oceania Zone 3.6 Zonals.

Oceania is composed of the following federations: Australia, Fiji, Guam, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Attending the meeting were Zone President Shaun Press (PNG), Casto Abundo for Asian Chess Federation, Gary Wastell, Kevin Bonham, Peter Tsai and Gary Bekker of Australia, Paul Spiller, Michael Freeman and Craig Hall of New Zealand, Jeremy Ellison of Vanuatu, Bill Sanft of Tonga, Almer Santos and Myra Ollet of Guam, Nicolas Douyere of New Caledonia and Jamie Kenmure for Nauru.

They discussed the World, Continental and Oceania tournament calendars and projects for developing federations:

Recent events (including 2025 Oceania Zonal)
Future events (including 2025 Oceania Junior and Youth Championships)
Upcoming Asian and World events of interest
Funding and development opportunities for Federations
Although separated by vast oceans, Oceania members exhibited close camaraderie as shown by their readiness to help new federations Tonga and Vanuatu hold a FIDE rating tournament.