Seniru and Amaya wins the Honour!

Seniru Ranuth Nagasinghe of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda excelled in the Western 1 open event by scoring a total of 7 ½ points out of possible 8 games to win the Championship convincingly. He was unbeaten in all 8 rounds scoring 7 wins straight with Mihin Kuruppuarachchi, Dulain Chinthaka, Kishora Siriwardena, Ahmed Kariyapper, Sasiru Sugathadasa, Lasindu Perera and Dulnith Sanviru and giving just one draw to Thisitha Mihindupriya in the last round to win the Gold Medal.

Aloka Jeewantha Hettiarachchi of Nalanda College won the 2nd place scoring 7 points out of 8 games while Dulnith Sanviru of Royal College won 3rd place with 6 ½ points out of 8 games. Aloka got the Silver Medal while Dulnith is awarded the Bronze Medal. Though the other 3 players, Thisitha Mihindupriya (Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya), Daham Vidarshana Jayasundara (Thirstan College) and Tathika Waduge (Lyceum International School, Nugegoda) tied with Dulnith with 6 ½ points, they had to satisfy with 4th 5th and 6th places respectively according to tie-brakes.

Amaya Induwari Ranasinghe of Viharamahadevi BMV, Kiribathgoda was outstanding to win the Championship scoring full 7 points out of 7 games. She beat Dewli Munasinghe, Yasara Senanayake, Hasandi Sendanayake, Vihansa Hettiarachchi, Hemalini Rathnayake, Sithuli Sithumya and Jayandi Bimansa convincingly to win the Gold Medal.

Dulinma Hemalini Rathnayake of Viharamahadevi BMV, Kiribathgoda placed second with 6 points while Jaynandi Bimansa of Bandaragama Central placed 3rd with 5 points. Dulnima won the Silver Medal for her performance. Five more players, Sithuli Sithumya, Hasandi Sendanayake, Amani Rukshana, Nilakshi Mahasinghe and Sasindi Grero tied with Jayandi with 5 points each, but Jayandi Bimansa won the Bronze Medal with the better tie breaking points.

The Inaugural Sri Lanka Online National Rapid Chess Championship 2021 consists of 4 stages. The Cycle is started with the Novices events in 7 regions followed by the Major Division Events in the same regions. The Top players more than 2000 ELO Ratings (For Women 1700 ELO) will join with the selectees from Major Division events to play in the National B event. The Top 14 players of the National B will join the current National Chess Champion and the Top rank player (If he is more than 2300 and in Women’s if she is more than 2000) in the 15 round Robin in the 1st stage of the finals while a knocked out of top four players of Round Robin event will play as 2nd stage in the finals. The same structure will be followed in the Women Event as well.

The Chess Federation is offering Rs. 180,000/= as cash awards for the National B and National Finals with Medals and Trophies in all other events.

The top 29 players of the Western I Open Event and the top 14 players of the Western II Women event were qualified to play the SL National (Majors Division) Chess Championships in their regions to be held from late August 2021.