Ranindu and Nevanji claim National ‘B’ Chess titles
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Nevanji
Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Ananda College and Nevanji Hewawasam of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo emerged winners in the Boys and Girls categories at the Sri Lanka National ‘B’ Chess Championship held at the Chess Federation headquarters in Maharagama.
Anandian Liyanage had to fight all the way to win the national ‘B’ championship on a better tie-breaker after finishing at eight points equally with seven players. Liyanage carried away the championship trophy along with a gold medal and a cash award.
Liyanage won from the first round but lost in the final round, yet managed to win the championship at this highly contested event. Out of the 112 players, seven players were engaged in a close battle to clinch the title.
The seven players who finished with eight points each in the final round were Ranidu Dilshan Liyanage (Ananda College), K.P.R.N. Samaranayake (Peradeniya University), Theekshana Denuwan (Ananda College), Susal Lokuge (Nalanda College), Minul Doluweera (Royal College), Danushka Bandara and D.M.G.S. Dasanayake (Maroons CC). K.P.R.N. Samaranayake and Theekshana Denuwan won the silver and bronze medals respectively on better tie-breakers.
Ranindu
Visakhian Nevanji didn’t find things difficult, scoring seven points out of the 11 games. She was outstanding to win the Women’s ‘B’ division title, leading the event from the start and drew her final game to receive the glittering trophy and a gold medal with a cash prize.
Thilini Koswatta (Sri Lanka Airport and Aviation Services), M. Tharushi Sandeepani (Devi Balika Vidyalaya) and G. Nethmi L. Fernando tied with eight points each. But on better tie-breakers Koswatta and Sandeepani won the silver and bronze medals respectively.
The Sri Lanka National ‘B’ Championship conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka is one of the strongest Swiss System competitions in the country with a total of Rs. 170,000/- at stake.