Sethika and Oneli emerge winners
SM Sethika Hansira Samaraweera and Oneli Wilvalaarachchi won the Under-10 and Under-16 titles of the Golden Jubilee International Youth Chess Championship 2022, conducted in connection with the golden jubilee of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL).
Sethika won the Under-10 Open Championship of the championship scoring 8½ points out of possible 9 games convincingly. Sethika played well to beat Nenuka Basnayake, Sanuka Gimshan, Dewli Munasinghe, Dehas Fernando, Lohasna Jayaweera, Yesandu Koswattage, Rithmitha Kirindagoda and Dinhas Perera and drew with Mayon Nimrad to win with an unbeaten record.
Rithmitha Kirindagoda also had a brilliant outing with a score of 8 points out of 9 games, just losing to the eventual winner Sethika. He beat all other his eight opponents Mahiru Karunanayake, Saviru Meemanage, Insitha Gunawardena, Diyasandani Vithaanarachchi, Jin Ray of Malaysia, Suhansa Wijethungaarachchi, Senuth Perera and Damsara Samaranayake.
Two competitors, Senehas Mahalpage and Chamuditha Bandara Herath scored 7½ points each and tied at the third place. Senehas won the bronze medal on a better tiebreaker and Chamuditha was pushed to the fourth place as a result. Senehas, despite losing his very first game against Nuvindu Balapitiya, scored full points against Chathum Thewsas, Nethvindu Ovitigala, Thaviru Weerasinghe, Adithya Perera, Risindu Kasturiarachchi, Suhansa Wijethungaarachchi and Senuth Perea while forcing a draw with Yesandu Koswattage to score 7½ points.
Chamuditha also lost his very first game to Damsara Samaranayake. But he beat Dinuga Ekanayake, Kavina Abhiman, Dinura Hansana, KB.D.J.S.B. Ralapanawa, G.A.T. Nimnada, Ritesh Tanishq and Mayon Nimrad and drew with Bagavan Mehruban to score 7½ points. Oneli Wilvalaarachchi of Gothami Balika Vidyalaya beat Nihari Goonasekara, Dewlini Weerathunga, Gaweshi Wickramaratne, Esha Pallie, Minethma Wickramasinghe and Dehansa Sandanayake while losing against Sanudula Dahamdi in the final round to score 6 points and win the gold medal of the Under-16 Open category.
Esha Pallie of Visakha Vidyalaya and Sanudula Dahamdi of Musaeus College scored 5½ each out of 7 games, but Esha claimed the silver medal on a better tiebreaker. Esha beat Ruwanya Piyatilake, Javindi Akuratiya, Esandi Newansa, Chanindi Mewna Attanayake and Vincent Alaina of India, and drew with Sanudula while losing to Oneli, the winner.
Dahamdi had to satisfy with the bronze medal due to poor tiebreaking points. She beat Devindi Vithana, Saheli Abeywardhana, Alaina Vincent, Desandi Dihansa Gamage and Oneli Wilvalaarachchi, and drew with Esha Pallie, the runner-up. She lost her second round game to young Gaweshi Wickramaratne.
The Golden Jubilee International Online Chess Championship was conducted by CFSL to celebrate its 50-year anniversary. Established in 1972, the CFSL opened its Golden Jubilee competition for international players, where participants from India, Malaysia and Australia made their presence. A total of 191 players competed in both categories.