Grandmaster Ian Rogers had flawless victories against all the top local players in the 2011 Mohammed Badshah Memorial Open that was held at the Pacifika Campus at Extension Street on May 14. For a chess player who could defeat 3 local players simultaneously in a blindfolded display at MHCC a day earlier, winning the tournament against the likes of CM Manoj Kumar and Dr Neel Arora was as predictable as adding another feather to his cap. Sponsored by Australia based Dr Samogam Goundar, the Mohammed Badshah Memorial is also called the 'annual chess festival' by some.

Front Row (L-R): Dr Samogam Goundar, Grandmaster Ian Rogers, Mrs Rogers, Mrs Egan, Bill Egan

Middle Row (L-R): Juan Clomera, Micheal K, Noel Adricula, Dr Virgilio De Asa, Dr Neel Arora, Goru Arvind

Back Row (L-R): Rajiv Raj, Chessmaster Manoj Kumar

The Mohammed Badshah Memorial Open was a 2 day event. On Day 1, there was a simultaneous match between Grandmaster Ian Rogers and the likes of Krishneel Nair, Rajiv Raj, Chessmaster Manoj Kumar, Dr Neel Arora, Noel Adricula and Goru Arvind. After 3 hours of gameplay, Ian Rogers managed to win against all his opponents. He showed a display of brute force that went unmatched in the tournament. After the simultaneous match, Ian Rogers went to MHCC in Central Suva where he defeated 2 sets of 20 players in a 4 hour simultaneous exhibition that was open to the public. He also played blindfolded against 3 local players while his wife announced the moves to him over a microphone. At the end of Day 1, Grandmaster Ian Rogers had won every game he played.

Local players Gaurav Raicar and Rajiv Raj match their wits against Grandmaster Ian Rogers at MHCC, Suva.

On Day 2, there was a one-day tournament at the Fiji School of Medicine (Pacifica Campus) at Extension Street. As expected, Grandmaster Ian Rogers defeated all opposition with a 5 out 5 score. He was followed by Chessmaster Manoj Kumar in 2nd place, Dr Neel Arora in 3rd place, surprise player Juan Clomera in 4th place while Australia based Bill Egan and Goru Arvind were tied at 5th place in a very competitive arena. It is hoped that there will be more 'chess festivals' of this type in the future, and that more new players like Juan Clomera appear and provide a boost to Fiji chess.