Tongan girls make chess history at Oceania Youth Championship

Tonga’s young chess players have made history in Christchurch, with the Kingdom’s female players securing their first international victories at the 2026 Oceania Youth Chess Championship.

It is a milestone moment for the island nation and a clear sign that chess in Tonga is entering a new phase on the regional stage.

Competing against some of the strongest junior players in Oceania, the Tongan squad showed determination, discipline, and steady improvement across the tournament.

The results marked a stark evolution from the previous year, signalling Tonga’s rapid ascent as a rising power in Pacific chess.

The breakthrough was especially significant, delivering results that will be remembered as a turning point for the sport in Tonga.

Mohe Lomu led the way with an impressive performance, scoring four points and earning her first official Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) rating.

Mohe Lomu. Photo/Tonga Chess Federation/Supplied

A FIDE rating is an official rating issued by the World Chess Federation and represents a player's strength in official tournaments.

Teammate Hinavakamea Helu also made her mark, recording one of the first international wins by a Tongan female player.

Known for her sharp, tactical style, Helu also secured a hard-fought draw in the final rounds, strengthening her reputation as one of Tonga’s most promising young players.

In the Open section, Donald Tonutonu put in a strong showing against higher-rated opponents, holding firm with a steady positional game.

Hinavakamea Helu. Photo/Tonga Chess Federation/Supplied

Tau Satini was also praised for his creativity and attacking play, creating promising positions and showing clear potential for future tournaments.

In a statement, Head Coach Gary Bekker said he was proud of how the team grew throughout the competition.

“They showed real courage, discipline, and belief throughout the tournament,” he said.

“What impressed me most was not just the results, but the way they fought in every game and kept improving from round to round.

“The girls, in particular, have made history for Tonga chess, and that’s something very special.

“This is just the beginning. The experience they’ve gained here will be invaluable as we continue building towards the National Championship and future international events.”

Behind the scenes, the team was supported by assistant coaches Veisinia Talau and Lavinia Pahulu, who focused on preparation, analysis, and player well-being.

In a joint statement, Talau and Pahulu reflected on the journey.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow. It has been a tremendous historical effort put in by the team and for us to witness in person the tears and the smiles when they finish each game is an experience we will never forget.

“They have trained so hard to put Tonga on the chess map and they have far exceeded that goal. We are looking forward to returning home, sharing our experiences, and developing chess in the Kingdom. Team Tonga has done God and Tonga proud.”

The team now turns their attention to the Tonga National Chess Championship in late June, where they will aim to build on this breakthrough and continue the growth of chess across the kingdom.