Nauru Chess History,
Write-up by Rene Dube CM
Friday -July 05 2024
It was not by chance that in October 2018 at the Butami Chess Olympiad in Georgia, Ricko Depaune became the first Pacific Islander ever to be awarded the FIDE Master chess title. Neither was it by chance that, at the same event, Rene Dube would become the first Nauruan Candidate Master. In the eighth round of the tournament, having been undefeated in his first five games, Ricko Depaune, for the briefest of moments, statistically become the highest ranked player in the world. None of this was by chance. The 2018 Chess Olympiad in Georgia had been Nauru’s first foray into the international Chess arena and against all expectations, the small Pacific Island state took a swing, punched well above its weight and shook the world. All these achievements had been the result of a well thought out strategic plan that had been centuries in the making. A chess move so great that newer generations of Nauruans have yet to fully experience its repercussions. A move made by the late Ruben Kun.
The History of Nauru Chess
To understand the history of chess in Nauru is to understand the history of Nauru itself. From its very inception in 1968, chess had been intertwined into the tiny island nation’s destiny as young Nauruan leaders, through sheer force of will and passion, forged for themselves and their countrymen a new republic. The young Nauruan leaders who had honed their scholastic knowledge and political ideas in Australia had been exposed to a variety of sports and recreational activities which they brought back home with them. It may be well known how Australian Rules Football was introduced and became Nauru’s national sport but very few recall that chess was also one of the activities that returning leaders enjoyed playing socially, often competing amongst each other. HE the late honourable Kenas Aroi would spend flights to official meetings playing against a computerised hand-sized electronic chess board that allowed him to perfect his skills whilst HE the late honourable Ruben Kun amassed a small library of chess books whose knowledge he gleaned and unleashed upon his colleagues with devastating effect.
Upon his retirement from politics, former President Ruben Kun hosted weekly chess events at his residence for all Nauruans, regardless of background or association. It was Ruben who first arrived at the realisation that Nauruans had a natural affinity for chess. He observed that not only did Nauruans have an innate understanding for solving complex tactical problems, but that they also possessed something very much unique to the Nauruan culture - An irrational desireto defeat their opponents.
With this understanding the former President created what is now known as the Nauru Chess Federation (NCF). In its infancy, the federation struggled to be recognised nationally as a legitimate sport and Ruben had to contend for its inclusion. Needless to say, he eventually succeeded in his goal. Once legitimacy was established as a recognised sporting organisation, the next step was to have Nauruan players compete in international events.
Unfortunately, time and health would become too great of an obstacle for Ruben as he would sadly pass away on …….. For his friendship and many contributions to chess, players continue to gather for the Rubens Cup, held annually on his birthday.
After his passing, the game of chess went into decline and this is where Nauru’s chess history would have ended, had it not been Ruben’s foresight.
In 2014, a message was received by the remaining members of the NCF which had become defunct in Ruben’s absence. The Oceania Chess Association had, unbeknownst to the other members of the federation, been in discussions with Ruben about his secret application for the NCF to join the International Chess Federation (ICF). Unaware of Ruben’s passing more than a year earlier, the ICF was seeking confirmation of NCF’s desire to join the ICF. The NCF quickly reorganised itself knowing that an opportunity to play internationally had presented itself. The former President had made preparations for their chess aspirations to yet be realised. With the help of the Oceanic Chess Association and with the bulk of the heavy lifting having already been done by the former President, the NCF were clear to step onto the World competitive stage and would do so in Georgia in 2018.
Unsatisfied with their accomplishments in Georgia, they competed again in 2022 in Chenai, India with Yoshi Harris securing a provisional Candidate Master and David Dabuae securing a provisional Fide Master title. This would be the first time Nauru would break into the top 10 teams of their division and come within reaching distance of an Olympiad medal. In 2024, the Nauru Chess Federation plans to introduce its first ever women’s team to the Olympiad in Budapest.
Nauru Chess continues to grow with younger participants having the opportunity to learn through school programs that the NCF have organised with Nauru College. It is said that in 2036, should India win the bid for the Olympics, Chess will be included as an Olympic sport. If that is the case, then the NCF stands ready to once again take a swing and shake the world. None of this is by chance.
By Rene Dube.
