Young chess players promised a lot in 2012
By The Nation
Sunday, 30 December 2012 00:00
The National Chess Championship was held in March where Sri Lanka Navy’s Alahakoon Isuru stunned a few veteran players to become the national champion for the first time. He scored 9 points to finish first while former national champions Chinthaka Anuruddha and Chamika Perera gathered 8 points each to seal second and third places respectively.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s only Women’s International Master (WIM) Sachini Ranasinghe dominated the proceedings in the women’s section to regain her national title from Dinushki Premanath. Sri Lanka hosted Asian Youth Chess Championship in June where Sri Lankan youngsters managed to grab six medals for the Motherland. Omaya Jayathilake who took part in the under – 6 girls category won a silver and a bronze medal in Standard and Rapid events while Harshana Thilakaratne who played in the under-10 open group ended up winning a silver and a bronze medal in Blitz and Rapid events. Senila Gunaratne (under 6 open) and D.M.Tharushi (under 6 girls) won silver and bronze medals respectively.
Anuththara Chandrasiri of Girl’s High School, Kandy earned the Women’s Fide Master (WFM) title in September following her good performances at the World Chess Olympiad. The 14-year-old was the fifth Sri Lankan to achieve the milestone. Sri Lanka’s number one inter-club chess championship, Super League was held in October where Sri Lanka Navy came from behind to beat the title holders Fischer Chess Club by a point to become new club champions. In December Sri Lanka Chess Federation organised Grand Prix Chess Championship’s qualifying rounds in Colombo, Kandy and Galle. Udith Jayasundara finished first in Colombo while Chandana Wijekoon emerged champion at Kandy and the Galle event was won by NC Saranga. (HA)
Source: http://www.nation.lk
There’ll be many GMs.