News – Page 139 – Asian Chess

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 1^st 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 3^rd place at the Chess Nationals this year. He performed remarkably well and scored 8 points to get the 3^rd 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 24^th to 30^th 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 2^nd with 7 points while International Master GB Harshawardhana (above left) of India became 3^rd with 6 ½ points.

India’s K Priyanka (above left) and Iran’s Anousha Mahdian (above right) tied for the 2^nd 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 17^th to 23^rd 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 8^th round to score 6 points to stay in 3^rd 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 4^th 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 8^th 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 3^rd 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 17^th to 23^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 17^th to 23^rd 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

Rahul and Savitha Lead Asian Juniors and Girls as India Dominates

Untitled V.S. Rahul (2387) of India continues to lead alone with 5 ½ points as he drew with his colleague from India, International Master Srihari Ragunandan (2448) in the 6^th round of the Asian Junior Chess Championship 2021 held at Citrus Hotel Waskaduwa in Sri Lanka. Earlier he beat International Master GB Harshawardana in the 4^th round and the top seed, International Master Mitrabha Guha, both from India in the 5^th round convincingly. He is meeting Sri Lanka’s top player, the National Chess Champion, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage in the 7^th round on Tuesday.

Woman International Master B Shri Savitha of India also leads the Girls division after she drew her 6^th round game with Melika Mohmmedi of Iran to reach 5½ points. Earlier in 4^th and 5^th round she beat Devindya Oshini Gunawardena of Sri Lanka and Woman International Master K Priyanka of India convincingly. She is supposed to meet Woman FIDE Master Anousha Mahdian of Iran in the 7 the round.

Three players, India International Masters Srihari Rgunandan, GB Harshawardana and Mitrabha Guha are running behind with 4 ½ points each out of 6 games in the boys division.

Melika Mohammed from Iran is in the 2^nd place with 5 points out of 6 games while Woman International Master K Priyanka of India is in the 3^rd place with 4 ½ points out of 6 games in the Girls event. Sri Lanka’s Sanudula Dahamdi and Anousha Mahdian of Iran are closely following Priyanka with 4 points each.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 are conducted by the Sri lanka Chess Federation 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 17^th to 23^rd December 2021 according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds.

The winners in two categories are offered a Grandmaster norm and International Master Title by the International Chess Federation. Even two tied players to top points 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

Indians, Sri Lankans Share Lead in Asian Juniors and Girls

Sri Lanka’s Young Talent, World Youth Online Under 10 Champion. Oshini Devinya Gunawardena of Ferguson High School came to share the lead with top seed, Women International Master Shri Savitha (photo below) of India after the 3^rd round of the Asian Junior Girls Chess Championship 2021 at Citrus Hotel, Wadduwa.

Oshini beat Anujana Sendanayake, strong WFM, Mahdian Anousha from Iran and Almaamari Zainab of UAE in her 3 rounds to score full three points while Savitha beat Gimashi Weerathunga, Niklesha Tharushi and WFM Al Maamari Wafia of UAE to reach 3 points. The crucial battle of leaders are expected tomorrow.

VS Rahul of India leads the open event with International Master Harshawardena of India scoring full 3 points after three games. Rahul beat Kosala Amarathunga, Isara Dahanayake and International Master Vardaan Nagpal to reach 3 points while Harshavardhana beat Thisarindu Induwara, Hamad Al Shamsi of UAE and Seyad Poormosavi of Iran in his 3 points.

The top seed Indian International Master Mitrabha Gua and Iran’s top Orimi Gholami are closely behind the leaders with a half a point behind with 2 ½ points each in open section. Women International Master K. Priyanka of India and Melika Mohammadi of Iran are closely behind the leaders in Girls section also with 2 ½ points each.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 which is conducted by the Asian Chess Federation is organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. A total of 54 players, 32 in Open and 22 in Women are participating in this event which is in progress from 17^th to 23^rd December 2021 at 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. Even two tied players to top points will also be awarded International Master titles. Otherwise the Silver and Bronze Medalists are offered Inernational 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

Chess Dinner at Burj Khalifa, World’s Tallest Building

Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan hosted a dinner for chess friends last Sunday at the plush Armani Mediterraneo in the Armani Hotel at the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich (in center above) led FIDE officials and Asian Chess family members in the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates. Follow us on twitter and facebook.

Attending were FIDE Council members Bachar Kouatly, Zhu Chen, Zurab Azmaiparshvili, Akaki Iashvili, FIDE Management Board members Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Mohd Al Mudahka, Berik Balgabaev, Willy Iclicki and Aleksandr Martynov, and Asian Chess family members Bharat Singh, Hisham Al Taher, Gary Wastell, Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh, Dhafer Al Madhloum, Sami Khader, Dr. Abdulla Alwahshi, Luxman Wijesuriya, Sahapol Nakvanich and Khusan Turdialiev.

Abdulrahim Mahdi, GMs Maurice Ashley and Alejandro, Semetei Tologon Tegin, Khalid Badieh, Eka Lal Shrestha, Gautam Prasad, and other guests who came for the World Championship Match also attended.

Asian Juniors and Girls Over-the-Board in Sri Lanka

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 17^th to 23^rd 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