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Daniel Gong wins New Zealand Chess Championship

FM Daniel Gong is a new champion of New Zealand. The youngster from Auckland won his maiden national title just a few days before his 19th birthday.

The New Zealand Championship (dating back to 1879!), a nine-round Swiss tournament, took place in Christchurch on the South Island and brought together 24 players. The future champion got off to a flying start winning four straight games but faced very dangerous opponents – seven times NZ champion IM Russell Dive and the defending champion FM Nicolas Croad – in Rounds 5 and 6.

Daniel rose to the occasion and ground down both rivals in long endgames to grab a commanding lead. Gong made three draws in the end to finish on 7½/9, a half-point ahead of another youngster CM Felix Xie (pictured above), who claimed silver. Fourteen-time NZ champion IM Anthony Ker and FM Nicolas Croad scored 6 points each and tied for third place. The bronze goes to Ker, who has a slightly better Buchholz.

Final standings:

1 FM Gong, Daniel Hanwen 2352 7½
2 CM Xie, Felix 2301 7
3 IM Ker, Anthony F 2441 6
4 FM Croad, Nicolas 2449 6
5 IM Dive, Russell J 2388 5½
6 McNabb, Matthew D 2231 5½
7 Sole, Michael D 2004 5
8 FM Lukey, Stephen G 2353 5
9 CM Rains, Edward 2178 5
10 Winter, Ryan 2186 5

The Junior NZ Championship run concurrently with the Major Open. The winners in five age groups are:

U8 Leo Yitao Lian

U10 Justin Zhide Wang

U12 Emily Gan, William Rui Liu, and Ryan Hwang

U14 Isabelle Yixuan Ning

U16 Ollie Archer

2022 NZ joint junior champions – Ollie Archer and Gavith Dharmasena

Girl Champion – Isabelle Yixuan Ning

The NZ Championship also includes rapid and blitz events scheduled for January 11 and 12.

Official website: newzealandchess.co.nz/

Photo: NZ Chess Federation Facebook page

From fide.com

GM Enamul Hossain Razib Wins Bangladesh National Chess Championship 2021

Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib became the undefeated champion at the Golden Jubilee of Independence 46th National Premier Chess Championship organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation and sponsored by Shah Cement held 27 December 2021 t0 10 January 2022 in Dhaka. Visit chess-results.com for round by round standings and to download games. Follow us on  twitter and facebook.

Grandmaster Razib (above left) won the title by 10 points in 13 games. GM Razib won the national champion title total five times. This is his 5th time to win the national title.

Grand Master Ziaur Rahman (abvoe left) of Bangladesh Ansar, who won 14 times champion in national chess, has become the runner-up. GM Zia became runner-up with nine and a half points.

Last time champion Bangladesh Ansar’s Grand Master Niaz Murshed (abvoe left) got third place with 9 points. Although he topped the points table with Grandmaster Razib until the twelfth round, he lost to International Master Mohammad Minhaz Uddin in the last round match and finished third.

FIDE Master Mehedi Hasan Parag (above left) of Bangladesh Police has secured the fourth position with seven and a half points. With seven points, Bangladesh Navy International Master Mohammad Minhaz Uddin and Bangladesh Ansar Candidate Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia will be in the play-off match for fifth and sixth place tomorrow (Tuesday).

GM Reefat Bin Sattar of Bangladesh Ansar and GM Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib (above left) of Bangladesh Police earned 6½ points each and they will play play-off match for the 7th and 8th position. Other positions are: 9th– CM Md Sharif Hossain of Bangladesh Navy, points-6, 10th-FM Subrota Biswas of Bangladesh Navy, points-5½, 11th-FM Debaraj Chatterjee (below left) of Barisal, points-5, 12th-CM Nayem Haque of Sirajganj, points-4½, 13th-CM Manon Reja Neer of Bangladesh Police, points-4.

and 14th– FM Khandaker Aminul Islam (below left) of Bangladesh Navy, points-3.

The 13th or last round matches were held Monday. I

n last round game: GM Razib beat FM Subrota. GM Razib played with white pieces chose the Ruy-Lopez opening system and continued to the Morphy Defense of FM Subrota, GM Razib won at 24th moves. GM Zia beat CM Sharif. Zia played with white pieces against Queen’s Gambit Declined of CM Sharif and GM Zia won at 33 moves. GM Niaz lost to IM Minhaz. GM Niaz played with white pieces against Queen’s Indian Defense of IM Minhaz and continued to Fianchetto variation and IM Minhaz won after 48 moves. FM Parag drew with GM Reefat, CM Tahsin drew with FM Debaraj and CM Neer drew with FM Amin. Play-off matches for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th position will start on tomorrow (Tuesday) from 3:00 PM at Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room, 2nd floor of national sports council old building.

Roll of Honor

1974-  Miah Abdus Salek,1975-  Dr. Mirza Akmal Hossain,1976-  Dr. Mirza Akmal Hossain,1977-  Not held, 1978- FM Rezaul Haque,1979-  GM Niaz Murshed,1980-  GM Niaz Murshed,1981-  GM Niaz Murshed,1982-  GM Niaz Murshed,1983-  FM Jamilur Rahman,1984- FMr Younus Hasan,1985- Sayed Ahmed Sohel,1986- IM Zillur Rahman,1987- IM Zillur Rahman,1988- GM Ziaur Rahman,1989- FM Rezaul Haque,1990- FM Syed Tahmidur Rahman,1991- GM Reefat Bin Sattar,1992- GM Reefat Bin Sattar, 1993- GM Reefat Bin Sattar,1994- GM Ziaur Rahman,1995- GM Reefat Bin Sattar, 1996- GM Ziaur Rahman,1997- GM Enamul Hossain Razib,1998- GM Ziaur Rahman,1999- GM Ziaur Rahman,2000- GM Reefat Bin Sattar,2001- GM Ziaur Rahman,2002- GM Ziaur Rahman,2003- GM Reefat Bin Sattar, 2004- GM Ziaur Rahman, 2005- GM Ziaur Rahman,2006- GM Enamul Hossain Razib,2007- GM Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib, 2008- GM Ziaur Rahman,2009- GM Ziaur Rahman, 2010-IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin,  2011-GM Ziaur Rahman, 2012- GM Niaz Murshed, 2013- GM Mollah Abdullah Al-Rakib, 2014- GM Ziaur Rahman and 2015-IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin,2016- Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib,2017- Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib and 2018- Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman, 2019-Grandmaster Niaz Murshed, 2022-Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib.

Sri Lanka Online Women’s Team Chess Championships 2022

Passed Pawn Chess Club is on top after the 1st stage

The Passed Pawn Chess Club composed of WIM Sachini Ranasinghe (Captain), WIM Nelunika Metmani, WIM from India B Shri Savitha, WFM Dasuni Hansika Mendis and WCM Sanudula Dahamdi claimed the 1st place at the Sri Lanka online Women’s Team Chess Championships on Sunday. Passed Pawn team scored a total 14 match points out of possible 14, winning all their 7 matches convincingly. They beat Negambo Chess Academy(4-0),  SABRA Women’s CC (4-0), Castle Siege CC (4-0), Mayor’s Chess Club (3 ½ – ½ ), Black Knight Chess Club (3-1), Kriegspiel Chess Academy (4-0) and Super Fighters CC (2 ½ -1 ½ ) convincingly.

Mayor’s Chess Club with Kaveesha Indrajith, HMMD Herath, WIM from India Michelle Catherine, BSMT Cooray and DADT Srilal played well to reach the 2nd place with 12 match points out of 14. They lost to Passed Pawns ( ½ – 3 ½ ) but beat all other 6 teams they met,  Black Knight Chess Club- Ruby (4-0) (2 ½ -1 ½ ), Kriegspiel Chess Academy (4-0) Black Knight Chess Club (2 ½ -1 ½ ), Castle Siege CC(3-1), Zugzwang Queen (4-0) and Queen Star Chess Academy A  (4 -0) to score 12 points.

Kriegspiel Chess Academy team from Ambalangoda with Minethma Wickramasinghe, Esandi Newansa, Sayumi Gamage and Siluni Nevinka De Silva became 3rd with 10 points out of 14. The lost to Passed Pawns and Mayor’s as above but beat all 5 other teams they met, Queen Star Chess Academy A  (4 -0), Super Fighters CC – Team A (4-0), Super Fighters CC (3-1), Dharmasoka College (2 ½ -1 ½) and SABRA Women’s CC (3-1).

Black Knight Black Knight Chess Club and Castle Siege Chess Club tied for the 4th place with 9 points each but Black Knight CC got the 4th place on the better tie breaking points which is the total of the individual points scored by the players. Black Knight had 19 points while Castle Siege had 17 only.

The 2nd stage of the event is the knock out between the 1st four teams as given below.

  1. Semi Final 1 – No. 1, Passed Pawn CC Vs No. 4, Black Knight CC
  2. Semi Final 2 – No. 2, Mayor’s CC Vs No. 3, Kriegspiel Chess Academi
  3. The Finals – Winner 1 Vs Winner 2
  4. The Consolation Finals – Loser 1 Vs. Loser 2

In the Semi Finals and Finals two Matches with the same team are played alternating the colours. The most number of match points win a match. If equal the number of game points will be calculated as the tie breaks. If equal, two matched of Blitz Time control will be played among teams alternating colours. If still equal one Armageddon game will be played among player nominated by each team to finalize.

The Semi Finals will be played on 11th of January while the Finals & Consolation Finals will be played on 12th of January 2022 starting at 6.00 p.m. in the evening. The 2nd game on each day will start at 7.30 p.m. on each day. The details of live streaming will be informed as soon as possible.

Join us with this exciting event!

Stay safe! Enjoy Chess!

Luxman

 

 

Susal and Niklesha Win Sri Lanka National Championship

Sixteen year old Susal De Silva of Nalanda College won the Sri Lanka National Chess Championship after a heavy battle of 4 hours with his rival Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Ananda College, the National Chess Champion 2020. Susal at 10 ½ points was leading a half a point ahead of Ranindu who had 10 points after the penultimate round. He managed to get the needed half a point in the final round against Ranindu and made his maiden National Chess Championship. Susal received Rs. 100,000/= in cash with the Gold Medal and the Championship Trophy.

Niklesha Tharushi of Visakha Vidyalaya won the Women’s National Chess Championships convincingly. After a poor start, losing 1st two games Niklesha came back strongly to score 9 points points out of 13 games. Niklesha beat Chethani Chamathka, Esha Pallie, Oshini Gunawardena, Sayumi Gamage, Nemindi Ramanayake. Oneli Vithanawasam, Esandi Newansa, Desandi Gamage and drew with Janandani Abeysinghe and HMRMK Rathnayake and lost three games to Dasuni Hansika Mendis, Chanindi Attanayake and Tharuli Ranganath. Niklesha received Rs. 60,000/=, Gold Medal and the Championship trophy.

Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage (Ananda College) also had a good event where he dropped only 4 draws and scored 11 points. He was awarded the Silver Medal with Rs. 50,000/=.

Young Thumula Kiriella (Ananda C) did extremely well to win the 3rd place at the Chess Nationals this year. He performed remarkably well and scored 8 points to get the 3rd place with Rs. 30,000/=.

Young Esandi Newansa of Dharmasoka College also did excellent to win the Silver Medal and Rs. 30,000/= with 8 ½ points out of 13 games.  She beat Dasuni in the penultimate round which resulted so many changes happened after the last round.

Dasuni’s poor score on the final day, losing  2 games make her out of Championship, but she made her for the Bronze Medal with 8 points to get Rs. 20,000/= with the Bronze medal.

The selected top 14 players each participated in the each category of the SL National Chess Championships 2021 which was held on the round Robin basis in 13 rounds. The Classical Chess format of 90 minutes with 30 seconds increment from move one was the time control and the winners were crowned as the National Chess Champions for the year 2021. The Event was held from 24th to 30th December 2021 at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo on Thursday with the awards ceremony held as Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya, the President of Chess Federation and Vice President of Asian Chess Federation  as the Chief Guest.

Visit chess-results.com for men’s and women’s results.

Bangladesh Golden Jubilee of Independence 48th National Premier Chess Chess Championship

The Golden Jubilee of Independence 46th National Premier Chess Championship organised by Bangladesh Chess Federation and powered by Shah Cement, started Monday at the Crown Hall of Hotel Asia & Resorts in Dhaka. In the round robin system, 14 players are participating in this year’s national chess. Among them, 5 Grandmasters of the country are seeded and 9 players have been promoted from National ‘B’ chess.

   

Bangladesh Chess Federation is holding this year’s national chess championship in a new way. The national ‘B’ chess was first held with selected players from 6 regional competitions and players with a rating of over 2100, dividing the country into 6 regions, and the top 9 players from National ‘B’ chess got a chance to play in this year’s national chess premiere.

When 5 Grand Masters of the country were invited to play directly, everyone agreed to participate. After the national chess championship of 2019, 5 grand masters of the country are taking part in any chess event together.

Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings. Follow on twitter and facebook.

WGM Frayna Wins Philippine Women’s National Chess Championship

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna crowned herself as the champion in the 2021 Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship at Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) headquarters in Mindanao Ave., Project 6, Quezon City on Thursday (Dec. 23).

Frayna capped another memorable campaign with a brilliant final-round victory over Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza in 43 moves of King’s Indian Defense. The top-seeded Frayna outplayed the second-ranked Mendoza in the opening to snatch a pawn edge, seal the win and claim her third national women’s title after reigning supreme in 2013 and 2016.

“It’s been a while since I won here because I focused on competing in the men’s event the past several years,” said the 24-year-old Frayna. “It was a tough field and I’m glad I won,” she added.

But the impressive performance was not without a hitch as Frayna needed to overcome an opening round defeat to 13-year-old wunderkind Woman National Master Ruelle Canino.

The loss turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it lit a fire inside Frayna, who scored 7.5 points highlighted by six victories since then to run away with the championship, the top purse worth P50,000 and a berth in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in May next year.

“She (Canino) is a good player and could be the future of Philippine chess. She beat me, no excuses,” said Frayna. “It was a wake up call for me and I decided to go for the win each game.”

Frayna ended up finishing a full point  ahead of eventual runner-up Woman International Master Kylen Joy Mordido, who is a third and last result away from following the former’s footsteps as the country’s second WGM.
The 19-year-old Mordido halved the point with Cebu pride Marian Calimbo in 34 moves of an English Opening.
The Dasmarinas, Cavite bet went for the win and, in fact, seized a slight positional advantage. But Mordido saw Frayna seal the deal, making it moot for her to just draw.

Mendoza slipped to joint third with third pick Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who split the point with Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego, with six points apiece but clinched third place via tiebreak.

Rounding out the rest of the placings were San Diego, Woman International Master Bernadette Galas, Woman National Master Rinoa Mariel Sadey, Woman FIDE Master Allaney Jia Doroy, Canino, Woman National Master Lexie Grace Hernandez and Calimbo.

The event was backed by PSC chair Butch Ramirez, Chess Movement, Inc. chair Dr. Ariel Potot, PCSO general manager Royina Garma, Endgame Sports Founder Atty. Cris Aspiras, POC President Bambol Tolentino, NCFP head Butch Pichay, Atty. Roel Canobas and Barkadahan Para sa Bansa party list nominees Petchi Ragos and Secretary-General Atty. Juman Paa.

In photo, the top three winners in the 20201 National Women’s Chess Championship — WIM Shania Mae Mendoza (3rd), WGM Janelle Mae Frayna (Champion), WIM Kylene Joy Mordido (2nd) — pose with NCFP CEO GM Jayson Gonzales, Chess Movement, Inc. chair Dr. Ariel Potot,  Barkadahan Para sa Bansa party list nominees Petchi Ragos and Secretary-General Atty. Juman Paa and IA Reden Cruz during the awarding ceremony on Thursday (Dec. 23, 2021).

Rahul and Savitha Win Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships

Untitled VS Rahul (2387) of India finished alone unbeaten with 7 ½ points out of 9 games to emerge Asian Junior Chess Champion 2021 and earn the IM title and a GM norm while compatriot WIM Shri Savitha won the girls division alone with 7 points to earn a WGM norm.

Rahul had a great performance, leading from the start till the end to win the Gold Medal. He beat Kosala Amarathunga, Isara Dhahanayake, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage all three from Sri Lanka and Three Indian International Masters Vardaan Nagpal, GB Harshawardana and Mitrabha Guha and drew three games with Susal De Silva Sri Lanka, International Master Shrihari Ragunandan of India and Orinin Gholami of Iran in the last round to achieve the title.

Woman International Master Shri Savitha of India earned the Girls Championship convincingly to win a WGM Norm with the Gold Medal. She scored 7 points with five wins against Gimashi Weeratunghe, Niklesha Tharushi, and Oshini Gunawardena of Sri Lanka, Al Maamari of UAE and Woman International Master, K Priyanka of India and four draws against Melika Mohammadi, Anousha Mahdian, both of Iran, Sanudula Dahamdi and Chanindi Mewna Attanayake both of Sri Lanka and drew her last game with Chanindi Mewna Attanayake of Sri Lanka.

After a poor start, the top seed, International Master Mitrabha Guha (above right) of India recovered well to place  2nd with 7 points while International Master GB Harshawardhana (above left) of India became 3rd with 6 ½ points.

India’s K Priyanka (above left) and Iran’s Anousha Mahdian (above right) tied for the 2nd place with 6 ½ points, but Priyanka won the Silver Medal with better tie break and Anousha had to satisfy herself with the Bronze Medal. Anousha gets a Woman International Master Norm as well.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation. A total of 54 players, 32 in Open and 22 in Women are participating in this event which is in progress from 17th to 23rd December 2021 at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds.

The Awards Ceremony was held under the patronage of Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya, the President of CFSL and a Vice President of Asian Chess Federation where Mr. Hisham Al Taher, the General Secretary of Asian Chess Federation and Mr. Casto Abundo, the Executive Director of Asian Chess Federation addressed the audience virtually.

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 links:

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

 

Tense Race after Penultimate Round of Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships

Solo leader untitled VS Rahul (2387) of India was held to a draw by Sri Lanka’s promising Youth Chess player, Susal De Silva of Nalanda College to allow second running IM GB Harshawardhana of India to narrow the gap to half a point after the penultimate round of the Asian Juniors Chess Championship in Sri Lanka.

Rahul has maintained his lead from the beginning, beating all four IMs in the event earlier. Indian International Master, GB Harshawardhana beat Indian IM Vardaan Nagpal to close the gap with Rahul to ½ a point with 6 ½ points to his basket. Harshwardana is meeting the top seed Indian IM, Mitrabha Guha in the final round in the crucial match. Mitrabha also came back strongly by beating Indian International Master Shrihari Ragunandan in the 8th round to score 6 points to stay in 3rd place. Mitrabha is the Indian National Chess Champion and was also selected to participate in the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2021 s well. Sri Lanka’s Susal de Silva stays in the 4th place with Gholami Orimi of Iran with 5 ½ points.

In the girls division, Sri Lanka’s young talent, Sanudula Dahamdi of Musaeus College (above) came strongly in the 8th and penultimate round to draw the game with strong Women International Master of India who headed the table throughout. This score resulted in Indian Women International Master K Priyanka coming to head the points table. With a win against Woman FIDE Master of UAE, AL Maamaria she came to 6 ½ points having better tie breaker. Erstwhile leader Savitha (below) is also in 6 ½ points as number 2. Sanudula Dahamdi and Anousha Mahdian of Iran are sharing 5 ½ points each and Sanudula on the 3rd place with the better tie breaker. Sanudula is meeting the rival Anousha at the Final Round for the deceive Bronze medal encounter in the final round.

The Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships 2021 are organized by the Sri Lanka Chess Federatin under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation. A total of 54 players, 32 in Open and 22 in Women are participating in this event which is in progress from 17th to 23rd December 2021 at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds.

The winners in both categories will recieve a Grandmaster norm and International Master Title from the World Chess Federation. Even two tied players to top points will also be awarded International Master Titles. Otherwise the Silver and Bronze Medalists will recieve International Master 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 off 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

 

Rahul and Savita of India Maintain Lead in Asian Juniors and Girls

Untitled VS Rahul (2387) of India (photo above) beat Sri Lanka National Chess Champion Ranindu Liyanage to maintain solo lead with 6 ½ points out of 7 rounds of the Asian Juniors Chess Championship at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa in Sri Lanka.

Rahul leads a full point ahead of 2nd running International Master GB Harshawardana. Harshawardana beat Isara Banindu Dahanayake of Royal College to stay close behind the leader with 5 ½ points. Four players, International Masters Mitrabha Guha, Vardhaan Nagpal and Shrihari Raghunandan of India with Srilankan young FIDE Master Susal De Silva are closely following Harshawardana with 5 points each.

Woman International Master B Shri Savitha (photo above) of India drew her game with Iranian Woman FIDE Master Mehdian Anousha to stay in the lead alone with 6 points out of 7 games. Indian Woman International Master K Priyanka had an easier game with lower rated Sayumi Gamage follows in striking distance with 5 ½ points to stayy in 2nd slot. Sri Lanka’s Sanudula Dahamdi (photo below) played strongly and beat Iranian Mellika Mohammadhi and together are in 3rd slot.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 are bing organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation. A total of 54 players, 32 in the Open and 22 Women are participating in this event which is in progress from 17th to 23rd December 2021 at the Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds.

The winners in two categories are offered a Grandmaster norm and International Master Title by the World Chess Federation. Players tied for first will also be awarded International Master Titles. Otherwise the Silver and Bronze Medalists are offered International Master 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 off 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