It’s the National Chess Champion, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage the Winner

Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Ananda College, the reigning National Chess Champion showed that he is the strongest after the first tie breaker, the Rapid Games happened since the Classical Games ended in equal points with two draws with Minul Sanjula Doluweera of Royal College. Minul started with white in the 1st round and opened with the queen’s Gambit to end the round with a tame draw. In the 2nd round Ranindu started with e4 and Minul’s answer was Carro Khann defense, c6. Ranindu replied with advance e4 and again agreed to a draw in the 28th move.

Generally accepted fact was Ranindu is better in faster Chess. He proved himself is better by scoring a win in the 1st Rapid game and giving a draw with a winning position in the 2nd Game. Ranindu Dilshan Liynage became the Champion of the 8th Sri Lanka Chess Grand Prix 2021 and earned Rs 50,000/= with the Trophy and the Gold Medal. Minul had to satisfy with Rs. 30,000/= and the Silver Medal. He was awarded the winner Trophy for the preliminary Round Robin event.

In the Consolation finals Theekshana Denuwan of Ananda College beat S Sivathanujan in the 1st game and drew in the 2nd round to earn Rs. 20,000/= and the Bronze medal. Being 4th. S Sivathanujan of Kokavil Hindu College, being the 4th received Rs. 10,000/=.

A total of 12 leading Chess players participated in the 8th Sri Lanka Chess Grand prix 2021which was held from 28th January to 7th February 2021was conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka with the strict health guidelines. The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka had offered a cash award of Rs. 110,000/= to the winners with other attractive awards. The Prize Distribution was held on 7th of February 2021, just after the Finals with Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya, the President of the Chess Federation as the chief guest.

A live coverage was arranged at the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka YOUTUBE Channel with commentaries from Dulan Edirisinghe, a former National Chess Champion and KA Akhila Kavinda, a National Team Player.

Stay safe! Enjoy Chess!

Luxman Wijesuriya
President – CFSL
General Secretary – South Asian Chess Council
General Secretary – Commonwealth Chess Association
Vice President – Asian Chess Federation