Ranindu and Nethmi win National Chess titles
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Ranindu receiving the Men's Chess title from Holger Seubert, the German Ambassador for Sri Lanka
Ranidu Liyanage, a 16-year-old schoolboy from Ananda College, Colombo, marched to glory to emerge champion in the Men’s category while Nethmi Fernando of Girls’ High School was crowned as the champion in the Women’s category at the National Chess Championship 2020 concluded last Tuesday at Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo.
Ranindu, who displayed excellent chess from the beginning concluded with a total of 10½ points out of possible 13. Young Ranidu suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of C.C. Weerasinghe at the penultimate round and drew against L.M.S.T de Silva, Lakshitha Randil and Gayantha Dissanayake and beat all other opponents to reach the top spot. He gained national chess champion trophy along with a cash prize of Rs. 100,000 and the gold medal.
Nethmi, who crowned as Sri Lanka Women’s national champion scoring 10 points out of 13 games. She had an excellent start in the first half of the event scoring 6½ points out of seven games and started the second half with losses to Sandeepani Tharushi and Newanji Hewawasam. But she came back strongly to score 3½ out of four in the last four rounds. Nethmi, 16, played strong to gain the Women’s title with Rs. 60,000 in cash and the gold medal and the trophy.
Minul Doluweera of Royal College Colombo also had a good event. He scored 10 points out of the total 13. Unfortunately, he lost to Ranidu in the championship battle and had to satisfy with the silver medal. He played an exciting game with International Master, Romesh Weerawardena in the final Round, where a position of famous mating net arrived after Minul’s 21st move.
Women's champ Nethmi, receiving her award from Luxman Wijesuriya, the Chess Federation President
Fourteen-year-old, Susal de Silva of Nalanda College failed to live up to his reputation and had to be satisfied with the bronze medal. He was awarded with a cash award of Rs. 25,000. Young Theekshana Deuwan of Ananda College, another youngster, performed well to be placed fourth while International Master Romesh Weerawardane was placed fifth.
The Chess Federation donated Rs. 250,000 in cash to the Sri Lankan Chess Hero, Master Harshana Thilakarathne of Maliyadeva College, who reach the 2400 in the FIDE Ranking and received the International Master title from FIDE, the World Chess Federation. He reached this rating after 36 years next to FIDE Master Harsha Aturupane, who reach the level in 1986.
The federation had invited all National Champions of Sri Lanka, former stars such as Harsha and Harinlal Aturupane and Suneetha Wijesuriya to grace the occasion, 2020 national championship.
The Sri Lanka National and Women’s National Chess Championship 2020, conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from September 11 to 21, was a great success.
The Chess Federation had organised the event in a grand manner at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, where His Excellency Holger Seubert, the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany was the Chief Guest. Sandamali Aviruppola, the Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya and Luxman Wijesuriya, the President of Chess Federation, General Secretary of South Asian Chess Council and Commonwealth Chess Association and Vice President of Asian Chess Federation gave away awards with Deepthi Hewageegana, the Deputy President.