Luxman Wijesuriya Unanimously Re-elected Sri Lanka Chess Federation President

Luxman Wijesuriya has been re-elected unanimously for the presidency of the Sri Lanka Chess Federation  for the second consecutive term.

The Annual General Meeting of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka was held on 30th May 2021 at the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka headquarters.  Wijesuriya is currently serving as the General Secretary of the South Asian Chess Council and the Commonwealth Chess Association and a Vice President of the Asian Chess Federation as well.

Mr. Kanishka Welipitiya was elected as the new Secretary General of the Chess Federation while Mr. Erosh Jayasinghe will continue as the Hony. Treasurer.

All members of the Executive Committee were also elected unanimously showing the Unity of Chess community:

President – Luxman Wijesuriya

Deputy President – Deepthi Hewageegana

Secretary General – Kanishka Welipitiya

Hony. Treasurer – Erosh Jayasinghe

Vice President – Thushan Wickramaarachchi

Vice President – Malith Akalanka

Vice President – Buddhi Alahakoon

Vice President – Chinthaka Weerasinghe

Vice President – R S Kalugampitiya

Vice President – Dayal Siriwardena

Vice President – Buddhi Panagoda

Tournament Secretary – Niroshan Chathuranga

Asst. Secretary – J K C Ketalawala

Asst. Treasurer – Rajiv Thilakarathne

 

Executive Committee Members:

Werochana Perera

Santhiribalan Nirmalarajah

Ayodhya Liyanagedara

Washini Chamithri

Lalantha Viraj Mudalige

 

The Sri Lanka Schools Chess Association will nominate the Vice President to represent Sri Lanka Schools Chess.

Addressing the gathering, the president thanked everyone for the progress of CFSL even with the pandemic situation and he requested their continued support. He declared that this is the Golden Jubilee year of the Chess Federation and there are various events/ function to celebrate it including International Youth Online event, Golden Jubilee Grand master event, Arbiter seminars and a comprehensive league with foreign players is organized. He also said that the CFSL is looking forward for participation in International events including the FIDE Chess Olympiad this year.

The election Committee, consisting of Upali Gunasekara (Chairman), Aruna De Silva and Mrs. Nadeeka Perera, handled the election process

Abu Dhabi Chess Festival 16th to 25th August 2022

Under the Patronage of H.H Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sport Council, Abu Dhabi Chess Festival Committee has the honor of inviting you to take part in this distinguished annual event, which consists of numerous FIDE registered tournaments. It will be held in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE from 16th until 25th August, 2022.

Download Abu Dhabi Chess Festival 2022

Sethika Hansira Wins Sri Lanka Youth Under 8 Chess Champion

Sethika Hansira Samaraweera of Royal International School, Kurunegala won the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Under 8Yrs Championship 2022 convincingly scoring full points of 7 out of possible 7 games. Sethika was very positive with 7 wins against Hamrith P Riyon, Jayarathne K P D M P, Jayasinghe D Dulen Abiru, Baddegamage Sadew Dewsanka, Meemanage Saviru Thinal, Ekanayake E M Methuka and Palliya Guruge Kemindu Sehas to earn the National Youth (Under 8) Champion title, trophy and the Gold Medal. Visit chess-results.com.

Six players tied for the 2nd rank with 6 points out of 7 games and Kemindu Sehas Palliyaguruge(Rahula College, Matara) managed to win 2nd place with the Silver medal with the better tie breaker. Kemindu best Egodawatta W Vinuja Nimsith, De Silva L Sanuth Adithya, Aayuishmaan Samson, Batagoda Bevin Yashel, Wijethungaarachchi Thinuthi Suhas, Sahabandu and G S A Jenuvi Dahamneeand lost to the winner Sethika in the final round to reach 6 points.

RB Hasadi Sethumsa(Sujatha Vidyalaya) had the nest best tie breaker and awarded the Bronze Medal. She also scored 6 points, beat Illangasinghe I M N, Karunasena A P Chenitha Sihas, Herath H M Chanidu Saven Bandara, Gunawardhana Yuvin Sejitha, Gobishan Piratheepan, Ovitigala Dehain Nethvidu and lost to Meemanage Saviru Thinal to reach 6 points.

Saviru Thinal Meemanage (Nalanda College) and Rasindu Manketh Kasthuriarachchi (Rahula College Matara) also scored 6 points and had to satisfy with the 4th and 5th places due to the poor tie breaking points.

The Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 is in progress from 20th April 2022 to 5th June 2022. Earlier the District qualifying events were held in 19 districts and around 5,000 Chess players participated for the events. This particular under 8 years open event was held from 26th to 28th May 2022 at Sastrananda Vidyalaya, Dehiwala according to Swiss System in 9 rounds. The top three will get the selection to play in International Youth Chess events.

Philippines, Kazakhstan Win Asian Disabled Chess Championships

Philippines won three gold medals in the Open and Women’s divisions while Kazakhstan won the gold medal in the Visually Impaired Women’s division of the Asian Chess Championships for Disabled Players held 27-29 May 2022 on Tornelo. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and to download games.

Follow us on Twitter facebook and  Instagram. In photos below, IA James Infiesto heads the Philippine disabled team in a courtesy call to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Thirty one men and 20 women from 11 countries competed in the 5-round Swiss System events. Time control was 10 minutes plus 10 second increments starting from move 1. Games were played over the weekend of 27th to 29th May 2022. Awards ceremonies will be held Thursday, 2nd June.

In the Open, Jasper Rom of the Philippines (photo above) finished undefeated with 4.5 points out of 5 rounds for the gold medal.  Kazemiyan Eski Abolfazl of Iran won the silver medal with 4 points followed by compatriot Rahmat Pour Arminwith with 3.5 points for the bronze medal.

In the women’s division, Cheryl Angot of the Philippines (photo above) also finished undefeated with 4.5 points out of 5 rounds for the gold medal. Compatriot Cheyzer Crystal J Mendoza won the silver medal with 3.5 points while Ostry Irina of Kyrgyzstan won the bronze medal with 3 points and the higher tie break.

Among the visually impaired, Redor Menandro of the Philippines (photo above) finished undefeated with 4.5 points in 5 rounds for the gold medal. Dashtseren Ganbat of Mongolia and Karimi Omid of Iran won the silver and bronze medals, respectively, by tie break after both finished with 4 points each.

Tomiris Kurmanalina of Kazakhstan topped the Women’s Visually Impaired division with a perfect score of 5 points for the gold medal. Safaei Maliheh of Iran finished with 4 points for the silver medal. Compatriot Rahimi Mahneh Fatemeh scored 3 points and won the bronze medal with the better tie break.

 

Tin Jingyao Wins Hanoi GM Tournament. Michael Concio Tops IM Tournament

IM Tin Jingyao of Singapore (photo below) won the Hanoi GM Tournament held 24-29 May 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam with an astounding 8 points out of 9 rounds, securing his GM norm with one point over the required score. IM Michael Concio of the Philippines won the Hanoi IM tournament held concurrently.

The tournaments were organized by the Vietnam Chess Federation to dovetail the 31st Southeast Asian Games Chess Championship which finished in Ha Long City a day before.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results. Follow us on Twitter facebook and  Instagram.

Here is the crosstable of the Hanoi IM tournament, held concurrently, won by Michael Concio (photo above) of the Philippines.

 

Two Players Share Lead in Asian Disabled Chess Championships

Two players each remain tied for the lead at the halfway mark of each of the 4 divisions of the Asian Disabled Chess Championships Open and Women on Tornelo. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games. Watch live games on Tornelo.

Follow us on Twitter facebook and  Instagram. Thirty one men and 20 women are competing in 5-round Swiss System events. Time control is 10 minutes plus 10 second increments starting from move 1. Games start 3pm and 4pm Dubai time over the weekend of 27th to 29th May 2022.

Kazemiyan Eski Abolfazl of Iran and Jasper Rom of the Philippines have 3 points each after as many rounds in the Open division. Cheyzer Crystal J. Mendoza and Cheryl A. Angot, both of the Philippines, are tied with 2.5 points each in the women’s division. Here are the standings after 3 rounds:

Among the Virtually Impaired, Dashtseren Ganbat of Mongolia and Menandro Redor of the Philippines share the lead with 3 points each in the Open division. Above is screenshot of the Mongolian Zoom room. In the women’s division, Safaei Maliheh of Iran and Kurmanalina Tomiris of Kazakhstan are tied at 3 points each for the lead. Below is screenshot of the Central Asian Republic Zoom room.

Early Leaders of Asian Chess Championships for Players with Disabilities

The Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities has started with the first round today on Tornelo. FIDE Disabled Commission Chairman GM Thomas Luther was Guest of Honor at the Opening Ceremony together with Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher. GM Luther thanked the ACF for organizing the Asian Disabled Chess Championship annually and said it was a good idea to hold a separate division for the Visually Impaired. Hisham Al Taher thanked the national federations for supporting their disabled players and the officials and Arbiters for serving our disabled brothers and sisters.

In above photo are Mijgee Khishigbayar of Mongolia and her physician who assisted her in connecting to the internet from her hospital room.

Follow us on Twitter facebook and  Instagram.

Watch live games on Tornelo. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

Eleven countries competing, namely Bangladesh, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The event is organized by the Asian Chess Federation under the auspices of FIDE.

Thirty one men and 20 women are competing in 5-round Swiss System events. Time control is 10 minutes plus 10 second increments starting from move 1. Games start 3pm and 4pm Dubai time over the weekend of 27th to 29th May 2022.

Here are early leaders after round 1:

Eleven countries in Asian Disabled Chess Championship on Tornelo

The Asian Disabled Chess Championship, Open and Women’s divisions, starts Friday 27th May with eleven countries competing, namely Bangladesh, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The event is organized by the Asian Chess Federation under the auspices of FIDE.

Thirty one men and 20 women are competing in separate 5-round Swiss System events. Time control is 10 minutes plus 10 second increments starting from move 1. Games start 3pm and 4pm Dubai time over the weekend of 27th to 29th May 2022. The Technical Meeting and Trial Run were held Thursday.

Watch live games on Tornelo. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings.

Follow us on Twitter facebook and  Instagram.

A number of visually challenged and blind players will use Tornelo blind mode, a feature unique to Tornelo. Fair play measures will be fully observed with players sharing screen and Task manager closely watched by Arbiters in Zoom.

The hearing impaired and physically disabled play together while the visually impaired play in separate groups. Arbiters who are experienced dealing with disabled players have been selected from participating countries for common languages. Technical Delegate is ACF Executive Director Casto Abundo (PHI), Tournament Director is IA Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh (IRI), Chief Arbiter is IA Kausar Bauyrzhan (KAZ), Appeals Committee are Asian Disabled Commission Chairman IA Jamie Kenmure (AUS), FIDE Rules Committee Chairman Abdulrahim Mahdi (UAE) and IA Haroon or Rashid (BAN) and Arbiters are K.K. Chan (HKG), Irina Semenova (UZB), IA Tulga Tserengavaa (MGL), IA Erfan Hashemi (IRI) and IA Reden Cruz (PHI). Tornelo Certified Arbiter is Michael Pagaran (PHI).

Here are the lists of participants:

and for Virtually Impaired groups

Boac Knight Club Rapid Chess Tournament

MANILA—John Meneses Jayag and Cleiford Kortchnoi Molinyawe lorded the Boac Knight Club Rapid Chess Tournament on Saturday, May 21, 2022 in Boac, Marinduque. In photo are from Left: Engr. Lauro Bautista (President/Founder of Boac Knight Chess Club, Inc., Rona Bautista, John Menes Jayag, Cleiford Kortchoi Molinyawe, NA Gener Vitto, AGM Dr. Fred Paez

12-year old Jayag, a Grade 6 student of lupac Elementary School in Boac, won the Kiddies event while the 12-year old Molinyawe, a 1st year high school student of Colegio de San Juan de Letran- Calamba with family roots in Gasan, Marinduque, topped the Open category.

Jayag finished the five-round rapid competition with a perfect score of five wins, besting Lanz Monteras, who settled for second with 4.0 points.

John Lamboloto and Limuel Jalimbawa both scored 3.5 points, but were ranked third and fourth, respectively, based on their total tie break points.

Fifth to tenth placers Vejay Fedalino, Joseph Jalos, Wendy Bustamante, John Carlo Baldovino, Johann Eclipse and Vincent Tarrega all scored 3.0 points each.

Meanwhile, Molinyawe finished the 5-round Swiss system competition in the Open category with perfect 5.0 points. Vincent Manalo closely followed him at second place.

Manalo wound up with 4.0 points and edged Aldrin Nazareno,  Jesro Sapungan, Timothy Fiedalan, John Mark Frias and Mark Legaspi in the tiebreak for second.

Category Winners were Rodolfo Lanuza (Top Senior), Ianna Sorrosa (Top Lady ) and Christian Sase (Top Junior).

The 1st Boac Chess Tournament was organized by Boac Knight Chess Club, Inc. led by it’s President and Founder Engr. Lauro Bautista and Rona Bautista. Tournament Director was AGM Dr. Fred Paez while Chief Arbiter was NA Gener Vitto.

“I would like to commend Engr. Lauro Bautista and his wife, Rona Bautista, for establishing a chess club in Marinduque and for holding and sponsoring the 1st Boac Chess Tournament. It’s a big help to promote chess in my home province. The preparation was indeed great.” said AGM Dr Fred Paez, Assistant Executive Director for South Luzon of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Sri Lanka National Youth Championships 2022 Under 8 Girls & Under 10 Open

Oshini, the 1st Girl to be an Open Winner (Under 10) & Sethumsa won the Under 8 Girls

Oshini Devindya Gunawardena of Wycherley International School set another record by winning the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 – Open Under 10 category this year. This is the ist time a Girl won a mixed category at any age group of this most prestigious Youth Chess Championships. Oshini won the World Youth Chess Championship 2021 – Girls Under 10 last year.

Oshini, the most promising Girls Chess player in the country, scored 6 ½ points out of possible 7 games, shared with KG Wimalarathne of Kingswood College but won the Championship Trophy and the Gold Medal on the better tie breaker. She beat Nethul Kottage, Rashmitha Hearath, Aken Gunasekara, Githmal De Silva, Ramika Methmin and Kausara Kodithuwakku and drew with KG Wimalarathne to achieve 6 ½ points. Visit chess-results.com.

Hasadi Sethumsa of Sujatha Vidyalaya was outstanding to score full 7 points out of 7 games to win the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 – Girls Under 8 category convincingly. She beat all her opponents, Savindi Godakandage, Rasindi Himansika, Chanumi Madanayake, Areli Fernando, Oshini Gomes, Dinenthie Dissananayake and Sayumi Halangoda to win the Championship Trophy and the Gold Medal.

KG Wimalarathne of Kingswood College won the 2nd place with 6 ½ points in the under 8 Open category. He beat Hansaka Kothalawala, Thinuga Hettiarachchi, Danara Herath, Himantha Anuhas, Theekshana Ranasinghe and Sanuk Nanayakkara and drew with the Champion to share the top but had to satisfy with the Silver Medal on the poor tie breaking points.

The 3rd place of Under 10 Open went to Githmal De Silva of Devananda College, Ambalangoda on the better tie breaker after tying with 6 points out of possible 7 games with 3 more players, Amila Ethkandura(Dharmasoka College), Dulein Labunahewage(Lycium International School. Nugegoda) and Kavinu Weerathunga(Rahula College, Matara). Githmal beat Hasal Perera, Yathum Kumara, N varsan, Bhagavan Methruban, Ramika Methmin and Dasira Sathmitha to win the Bronze Medal. Amila, Dulein and Kavinu had to satisfy with the 4th, 5th and 6th places respectively due to their tie breaking points.

Syathara Dinenthie Dissanayake (St. joseph’s Balika) and Risali Lohasna Jayaweera (Musaeus College) scored 6 points each out of 7 possible games and Syathara won the Silver Medal on the better tie breaker. Syathara beat Sithuli Premarathne, Yashvi Ponnamperuma, Risali Jayaweera, Sayumi Halangoda, Ankavi Kulathungan and lost to the Champion, Hasadi to reach 6 points. Risali beat Disini Wadugodapitiya, Sehathna Wijesuriya, Senuli Yehansa, Ashmeetha Seimi, B Pradeksha, and Oshini Gomes and lost one game to Sythara, the Silver Medalist to win the Bronze Medal.

The Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championships 2022 of the Golden Jubilee year of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (1972 – 2022) is conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka in 12 categories as under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years Open and Girls. The Championships are in progress from 20th April to 31st May 2022 and 7 events are over so far with these two events. A total of 220 players who got eligibility from 19 District events held earlier participated in these two events..

The top three players will be included in the National Youth Chess Teams which represent the country in Asian/ World Youth events.