The Sri Lanka National Chess team failed to enter to the Group 2 level yesterday, when they lost to Botswana 1 -5 in the last round of Group two matches of the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020. The Sri Lanka team was playing well by scoring wins against even number 1, International Cripple Association team and strong Tajikistan Team in earlier rounds. But they could not go over strong Portugal and Scotland teams in the round 2 and round 8. They drew with the UAE National Chess Team as well.
The FIDE World Chess Olympiad is conducted by the World Chess Federation as the result of postponing the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad to August 2021 due to the COVID 19 Pandemic. There are a total of 163 countries participating where FIDE has introduce a new format for the team to have 2 males, two females, one under 20 boy and one under 20 girl in the team. The event was held in the Rapid Chess format with 15 minutes per side with 10 second increment from move one. Sri Lanka beat Chinese Taipei 4 ½ – 1 ½ in the 1st round, lost to Scotland 2 ½ – 3 ½ in 2nd round. Got a walk over from Nigeria 6 -0 in 3rd round, beat Tajikistan 4-2 in the 4th round, drew with UAE in the 5th round 3-3, beat Angola 4-2 in the 6th round, beat IPCA 4-2 in the 7th round, lost to Portugal 2 ½ – 1 ½ in the 8th round and lost to Botswana 1- 5 in the last and final round to score 11 match points which placed us in 5th in our group.
Portugal, IPCA and Scotland placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the pool B, our group and advanced to level II which will be started on Friday, the 14th of August 2020.
Women International Master Sachini Ransinghe was the individual best to score 5 points out of 6 games while Devnethmi Dahampriya also score 5 points out of 8 Games.
The Sri Lanka National Chess Team was consisted of FIDE Master Harshana Thilakarathne (Maliyadeva College), (Captain), FIDE Master Isuru Alahakoon(Sri Lanka Navy), Devnethmi Dahampriya(Visakha Vidyalaya), Ashvini Pavalchandran (Wycherly International School), FIDE Master L M S T De Silva(Nalanda College), WCM Sayuni Gihansa Jayaweera (Dharmasoka College), CM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage(Ananda College), & FIDE Master Chinthaka Anuruddha (YMCA Kandy CC), Nethmi Fernando(Girls High School), Women International Master Sachini Ranasinghe (Nf3 Chess Club), FIDE Master Minul Doluweera (Royal College), and WCM Tharushi Niklesha (Visakha Vidyalaya). Mr. Ransith Fernando was the Team Manager while Mr. Rajeendra Kalugampitiya was the Coach.
The Polymath College International has given a great support by providing venue and the Internet facility throughout the event. We thank Mr. Upali Gunasekara the Principal and the management for their fullest corporation for making this participation a reality. |