Tonga Chess Federation (TCF) said that Donald was the first Tongan player to score points and win at a FIDE-rated Oceania zonal championship.
“This result represents the strongest performance by a Tongan player at this level to date.”
Donald was part of a three-player team attending the championship which started last week on 13 December and ended on 17.
The other players, Hinavakamea Helu and Tau’ataina Satini players also played strongly throughout the tournament, gaining experience against opponents who in many cases have competed in multiple international championships.
TCF said the aim is not only to expand the number of players gaining international experience, but also to build on the knowledge, confidence, and momentum gained from this event.
TCF has two main goals for the future, including sending a larger Tonga squad to the next Oceania Youth Chess Championship in New Zealand (April 2026); and to continue developing players as part of a longer-term pathway toward participation in the 46th World Chess Olympiad in 2026, which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre.
