Chess in SL makes its move for International recognition
National Chess Federation's Tournament Secretary, Lakshman Wijesuriya feels that locally chess has reached a certain level - Pic by Ishanka Sunimal
Ever since competitive chess made its entry into Ceylon/Sri Lanka, with the first tournament held in 1959, the game has gone a long way in our little island nation. The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL), which is the official body governing Chess in Sri Lanka, is making every effort to groom young Sri Lankans to Grand Master’s level.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Vice President of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), General Secretary of the Commonwealth Chess Association and CFSL Tournament Secretary Lakshman Wijesuriya said, “We have taken SL Chess to a certain level to be competitive in Asia,” adding that, last year, Sri Lanka won the Under-16 Asian Junior Championship and the Under-15 Commonwealth Chess championship. Chess is played mostly by schoolchildren in Sri Lanka.
However, it is sad to note that, when they reach their late teens, and are almost at their peak, they devote more time to their studies, which is fair enough on their part. Two players who reached Grand Master Junior Level are Under-16 player Harshana Thillakaratne of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, with 2,400 ranking points, and Under-16 Asian Champion Nipun Piyumantha with 2,200 ranking points.
Sri Lanka won the West Asian Championship conducted by the ACF and were Overall Champs in 2016 and ’17, competing in 12 events. SL won four golds in a tournament which included Chess giants India and China.
Even though its difficult to compete at International level, it is noteworthy that we are a force to be reckoned with in the Under-15 and Under-16 age groups. Harshana Thillakaratne won the Asian Championship in 2008 and Nipun Piyumantha of Dharmasoka College won the Under-16 Asian Youth Championship last year.
Mr. Wijesuriya went further to say that the CFSL proudly stands on its own feet, providing all the facilities for the players. Even for international assignments, the CFSL provides the air tickets too. It also makes financial awards for winners at National level.
Sri Lanka chess players are in action throughout the year. There is the National Youth Championship, where over 20,000 take part, with 25 qualifying events, in 21 districts. Then 2,700 qualifiers compete in the National Youth finals. Based on the performances of the above competitions, the CFSL selects players for the National Championship in the age groups from 8-18 years. Those at the top will represent the country, both Men and Women, with five players in each team, for the Asian Youth Championship, World Youth Championship, World Schools Championship and Asian Schools Championships. The Schools Chess Association in collaboration with the CFSL selects players for the Schools tournaments.
The biggest event is the Chess Olympiad. The CFSL concentrates more on the Nationals to select players for the world event. In 2014, Sri Lanka won the Group championship at Group ‘C’ level at the Olympiad.
Sri Lanka chess has reached professional levels with some clubs recruiting foreign players to take part in district and club tournaments, which helps improve the standard of the game. Last year, at the AYC in Sri Lanka, we won only one medal by Thillakaratne.
Wijesuriya sees a bright future ahead in Chess, as the youth keep the country’s flag flying high at Junior Level and, in time to come, if they continue in the game, after their academic careers, CFSL’s dream of Sri Lankan Grand Masters will become a reality.