Chess: Priyankara beat Indian Grandmaster Laxman in KIIT International

Chamil Priyankara beat the Indian Grandmaster R.R. Luxman in the fifth round of the 13th KIIT International Chess Festival in India on Wednesday (25). 

Chamil who had represented Sri Lanka at Chess Olympiads in earlier years had a good performance to tie for the fourth place with 4 points out of 5 games, where he beat Indians S.P. Suriya, Tapan Badamunidi, Mishra Satyam and R.R. Laxman.

But he lost to Ghose Saparya of India in the first round to reach 4 points. 

He will meet the Grandmaster P. Karthikeyan in the sixth round on Thursday (26).

Two other players from Sri Lanka, Pesandu Rashmitha Liyanage and K.A. Akhila Kavinda are sharing the 22nd place with 3½ points out of 5 games. 

Pesandu, after losing his first game to Grandmaster Azer Mirsoev of Azerbaijan beat B. Keerthana, Arsh Shaik, Rai Garv and drew with S. Dhananjay (all Indians) while Akhila also lost in the first round to Mittal Ashwath.

He beat Indians Mohitha Vakcheri, Tanishar Boramanikar, Hemal Andalamala and drew with Roy Sayandeep to reach 3½ points.

Sri Lankan International Master Romesh Weerawardena is having 3 points out of 5 games after he beat Indians Sinha Aarav, Ghose Saparya, Mazumda Saounak, yet he lost two games to International Master Ameya Audi and Grandmaster Luka Paichadze of Georgia.

Sri Lankans Madushan Sameera Dissanayake has 2 points out of 5 games and young Yashika Kaumina is also competing in the event. 

The event which is in progress from May 22 to 29 with a total of 175 players from 14 countries, is conducted on the Swiss System in nine rounds and has four more rounds to go. 

A total of 11 Grandmasters, a Women Grandmaster and 14 International Masters are competing in this International Open Chess Championship.