The reigning SL National Inter Club (Super League) Champion, University of Sri Jayawardenapura team started very strongly by two outright wins against Black and Gold Chess Club, the youngest team in the event (4 ½ to 1 ½ ) and Super Knight Chess Club (5 – 1). Being a young team, Senuka Ashvin Ahangama beat Akhila Rathnayaka and Vihanga Akash Managed to get a draw from Dimitry Premachandra of USJP who got all other four points. In the 2nd round game, Dimitry Premachandra lost to experienced Gayan Pieris while USJP won all other five games. The Strong USJP is led by former National Chess Champion Chamika Perera while the current National chess Champion, Ranindu Liyanage is also a part of the team.
The Blue and Gold Chess Club consist of past and present students of Royal College managed to edge strong Anandians team (3 ½ – 2 ½ ) in the 2nd round to come to share the lead with 4 match points. The Blue and Gold beat Super Knight Chess Club (5 – 1) in the first round. The Blue and Gold is also made strong with the inclusion of Former National Champion and National No 2, Minul Doluweera. Sri Lanka Navy is in the 3rd place with 3 match points. SL Navy beat Maroons Chess Club (3 ½ – 2 ½ )and drew with Black & Gold CC (3 -3).
The Sri Lanka National Inter Club Chess Championship 2021 is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from 26th February to 2nd March 2021 for a Rs. 120,000/= Prize fund at Sanhinda hall, Gangodawila. The strongest National Team Chess Championship is played on the round robin system with the strongest 10 Chess Clubs in Sri Lanka in 9 rounds. The games of the first 3 Matches are webcasted live using DGT Boards while a live streaming of the day is started at 5.00 p.m. all day in Chess Federation of Sri Lanka FB page with commentaries by the former National Chess Champions, Dulan Edirisinghe and Harshana Thilakarathne who is also the strongest Chess Player in Sri Lanka.
The Event is approved by the Secretary of the Ministry of Health as well as the Director General of Sports Medicine Institute of the Ministry of Health to play with the health guidelines. The CFSL has taken all precautions as per the health regulations published for COVID 19 prevention.
The 3rd round starts tomorrow at 9.00 a.m with the following pairing.
Super Knight CC Vs Black & Gold CC, Anandians CC Vs USJP CC, Sokians CC Vs Blue and Gold CC, Maroons CC Vs YMCA Kandy and SL Navy CC Vs Grand Prix CC.
Standings after 2nd Round
1. University of Sri Jayawardenapura CC 4
2. Blue and Gold CC 4
3. SL Navy CC 3
4. Anandians 2
5. Maroons CC 2
6. Sokians CC 2
7. Grand Prix CC 1
8. Black and Gold CC 1
9. Kandy YMCA 1
10. Super Knights CC 0
Live Games link
SL Super League (Sri Lanka Inter Club Super League)