Tonga makes historic breakthrough at Oceania Youth Chess Championship

The Kingdom of Tonga has recorded a historic milestone at the 2025 Oceania Youth Chess Championship in Brisbane, with Tongan players scoring points at the elite international level for the first time.

The five-day tournament, which finished 17 December, brings together top junior players from Australia, New Zealand and across the Pacific. It also serves as a qualifying pathway to the World Youth Chess Championship.

Many competitors already hold national or international titles, making the championship one of the strongest junior chess events in the region.

Tonga was represented by Hinavakamea Helu in the Girls Under 14 division, Donald Tonutonu in the Open Under 14 division, and Tauʻataina Satini in the Open Under 16 division.

The standout result came from Donald Tonutonu, who recorded a win and a draw, the strongest performance by a Tongan player at this level to date.

Tongan head coach Gary Bekker says the achievement reflects the team’s preparation and resilience.

Members of the 2025 Tongan chess team with head coach Gary Bekker, centre, and Donald Tonutonu, on his left. Photo/Supplied

“I’m incredibly proud of the Tonga team. They showed real courage and fighting spirit against some of the strongest youth players in the Pacific, and they represented Tonga with great pride,” Bekker says.

“Donald Tonutonu’s win and draw were historic. It was the first time a Tongan player has scored points at a FIDE-rated Oceania zonal championship.”

While the remaining Tongan players did not score points, the federation says they gained valuable experience competing against opponents who have participated in multiple international championships.

Meanwhile, Fiji’s junior players have also recorded strong performances at the championship, according to the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).

FBC reports Fiji notched up several impressive results across multiple age divisions, underlining growing depth and confidence in its junior chess ranks.

Watch FBC reporting on Fiji chess team at Oceania Youth Zonal Chess Championship

In the Under-14 Open division, Lionel Vaurasi claimed a Round Two win over higher-rated New Zealand player Joshua Barnes, followed by a draw against Australia’s William Searle and another win over Bryce Chen.

In the Under-14 Girls division, Latileta Masau secured a breakthrough victory over Australia’s Emma Ye, before later defeating Tonga’s Hinavakamea Helu.

FBC also reports encouraging results in the Under-18 and Under-20 divisions, including wins by Praveer Singh, Woman Candidate Master Tanvi Prasad, and Candidate Master Rudr Prasad.

The Tonga Chess Federation says the performance highlights the growing strength of chess in the kingdom and the value of structured preparation and international exposure.

Plans are already underway to send a larger Tongan squad to the next Oceania Youth Chess Championship in New Zealand in April 2026, and to continue developing players toward possible participation in the 46th World Chess Olympiad in 2026, to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Participants at Oceania Youth Chess Championship in Brisbsane. Photo/Fiji Chess Federation.

Bekker says the squad is excited about building on this experience and competing at the 2026 Oceania Youth Championship in Christchurch.

“This is just the beginning for Tonga chess,” Bekker says.