The Asian Junior Chess Championships (Open & Girls) reeled off today at the Citrus Hotel Waskaduw with the participation of a total of 55 players from six countries namely India, Iran, Maldives, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates and host Sri Lanka.
The Opening Ceremony was held with the participation of Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya (at podium), president of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka and Casto Abundo, Executive Director of the Asian Chess Federation addressing the gathering virtually (on screen below).
While pointing out the importance of the event he said that this is a major event of Asian Chess Federation held over the board along with the just concluded Asian Seniors Chess Championships 2021 in Damascus, Syria, he thanked the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka for coming forward to organize the event in such a difficult time. He also thanked all the participating Federations.
India has fielded a strong team, five players in open, including 4 strong International masters, Mitrabha Guha (2509) in photo above, Srihari Raghunandan (2448), GB Harshavardan (2384) and Vardaan Nagpal (2384). Iran has fielded 4 players with Golami Mehdi (2425). Sri Lanka is led by FIDE Master Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage (2300, photo below) of Ananda College with FIDE Master Susal De Silva (2131, Nalanda College) & FIDE Master Sasith Nipun Piyumantha (2214, Dharmasoka College).
In the Girls event India has fielded two Women International Masters, Shri Savitha (2281, photo above) & K Priyanka (2218) while Iran is in the number 3 slot with Woman FIDE master Mahdian Anousha (2212). Sri Lankan challenge is led by the two Women Candidate Masters Niklesha Tharushi( 1711, Visakha Vidyalaya) and Sanudula Dahamdi (1653, Musaeus College).
The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 which is conducted by the Asian Chess Federation is organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from 17th to 23rd December 2021 at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka. The events are for the age group of under 20 years of age and will be held according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds. This is the most prestigious Chess event for under 20 year old players in Asia. A number of countries were not in a position to send players due to various regulations of COVID 19 in their countries.
The International Chess Federation is offering a Grandmaster norm and an International Master title for the Gold Medalists while the next two players if tied in points with the top player gets IM titles and otherwise gets IM norms.
The Tournament details are at the Chess-results.com – Links
http://chess-results.com/tnr599045.aspx?lan=1
http://chess-results.com/tnr599044.aspx?lan=1
The live games of the event can be seen at the following link:
Asian Girls Chess Championship 2021
Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#1d2fce85-a004-410d-93e5-a485328ef4dd
Asian Juniors Chess Championship – 2021
Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#5b19c578-e00f-4e8d-b77e-ccf6c5e56f4f
Stay Safe! Enjoy Chess!
Luxman Wijesuriya