Hansadi and Hansana emerge victorious
Hansadi receiving her trophy from CFSL Treasurer Erosh Jayasinghe
Hansadi Aradhya Akuratiya of Ferguson High School, Ratnapura and Haritha Hansana of Rahula College, Matara claimed the Under-10 Girls’ and Under-12 Open titles of the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championship 2022.
Hansadi won the Under-10 Girls’ event after scoring 6½ points out of possible 7 game points, maintaining an unbeaten record throughout. Hansadi beat Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage, Buddhima Aravinda Perera, P.G. Lithumi Hiranya, Meenu Vihansa Hewapathirana, R.B. Pumudi Hansadi and Hirudini Hehenya while drawing against Sasmi Sithumsa in last round to claim the Under-10 Girls’ title easily.
Sasmi Sithumsa of Lyceum International School, Oshini Gunawardena of Wycherley International School and R.B. Hasadi Sethumsa of Sujatha Vidyalaya, all scored 6 points out of 7 games. But Sasmi had the better tiebreaking points out of the three players and earned the silver medal. Sasmi beat Oshini Gomes, Thyonne Barthelot, Tharaniga Ramanpirakash, Seneli de Mel, Nethuli Raseema, and drew against Amaya Hemachandra and Hansadie, the winner to claim the silver medal, yet with an unbeaten record. Oshini won the bronze medal after scoring wins against Thenuji Nemindi, Dahamsa Patabendi, Danara Herath, Dinuli Rajaguru, Sithuli Sithumya and Dewli Chanseya. But she lost to Pamudi Hasadi in her fourth round game. Hasadi Sethumsa, despite losing her first game against Methuli Fernando, scored 6 points in a row with wins against Siluni Gallage, Labibah Lifthikan, Yumindi Jasinghe, Thathsara Fernando, Saheli Abeywardhana and Senudhi Jayasinghe.
Hansana receiving his trophy
Hansana showed that he is the superior among the lot in the Under-12 Open age category. He scored 7 points out of possible 8 games of the event. Though he tied against Disal Nimsara Weerasekara with 7 points he won the Under-12 Open title with a better tiebreaker. Hansana beat Randula Indumina, Thushanu Ganepola, L.R.D.B. Bandara, Y.P.G.P. Yapa, U.M. Senal Vishmin Francis and Thisarindu Induwara and drew against Budmina Gunawardena and U.J. Nimuthu Nimthaka to claim the title.
Dishal Nimsara Weerasekara of Sri Chandananda Buddhist College also scored 7 points out of 8 games, but had to satisfy with the silver medal on a poor tiebreaker. Disal beat Yethum Herath, Thisen Bandara, N.S. Thalgaswatte, Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala, Budmina Hettigoda, Aayush Haputhanthri, Thisarindu Induwara and K.A.R.G. Galkotuwa to finish second.
Two players, B.Janukshan of Jaffna Hindu College and Pamok Samaranayake of Rahula Matara scored 6½ points each, but Janukshan claimed the bronze medal on a better tiebreaker. Janukshan beat G.A. Hiyarapitiya, Naveen Fernando, Sadev Minsara, Dulnith Sanviru, Sanuk Nanayakkara, Induwara Wijewickrama, and drew against Chenitha Ovitigala. Yet he lost his only game against Pamok Samaranayake to claim the third position. Pamok beat Hesandu Herath, Methuka Ekanayake, Induwara Wijewickrama, D.D.L.D. Dandeniya, Janukshan, Budmina Gunawardena, and drew with Dulnith Sanviru. He lost his seventh round game against Thisarindu Induwara to finish with a score of 6½ points and was placed fourth.
Hansadi, Hansana along with the other winners
The Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 was part of the Golden Jubilee Year celebration of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL), which was founded in 1972). The tournament was conducted by CFSL in 12 age categories as Under-8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years in Open and Girls segments. Only the Under-12 Open and Under-10 Girls categories were conducted as an International Rated Events at Sastrananda Vidyalaya in Dehiwala. The other 10 events of the remaining categories will be held during coming weekends. The top three players will be included in the National Youth Chess teams that will represent the country in Asian and World Youth events.