Archives: News

Southern Open & Central Women’s events

Pamok Samaranayake and Miyurini Gamage win the Championships!

Pamok Samaranayake (above left) of Rahula College, Matara won the Championship of the Sri Lanka Online Rapid National (Novices Division) Chess Championship 2021 – Southern Open event with a score of 6.5 points out of 7 games. Emal I S Dissanayake (above center) of Rahula College, Matara placed 2^nd with a score of 6 points out of 7 games and K H Savitha Nimsanda (above right) of Dharmasoka College finished 3^rd with the better tie breaker after tying with four more players with the score of 5.5 points out of 7 games. Other three tied player’s M M Nanayakkara, H A Menula Weharagoda and Geenuka Kavinu Gunaweera had to satisfy with 4^th, 5^th & 6^th places respectively.

Samaranayake beat Hirun Harendra Kalupahana, U P A Jalina Basuru Gunarathna, Sanuth Nihinsa De Silva, Chamithu Dewwin Senarathne, K H Savitha Nimsanda, H. Gayaru Dulsara Fernando and had a draw with H A Menula Weharagoda to win the Gold Medal.

Dissanayake beat Inuka Sevhas Lamahewa, Y G Thisandu Hansaka, Thenul Damsara Samaranayake, M M Nanayakkara, Onitha Dinudika De Silva & H A Menula Weharagoda to reach 6 points and win the Silver Medal. Nimsanda won the Bronze medal by scoring 4 wins with Yukitha Nirmith Godakanda, H M Sithuka Ranmira Thilakaratne, Geenuka Kavinu Gunaweera, T H Oshid Warshaka Vidharshana and had a walkover & draw with Thisuli Sanulya Jayawardhana, Ayod Induwara Wijewickrama respectively.

Miyurini Gamage (above left) of Hilwood College won the Championship of the Sri Lanka Online Rapid National (Novices Division) Women Chess Championship 2021 – Central Women’s event also on the better tie breaker after tying with 6 points with S K Somarathne (above center) of Swarnamali Balika Vidyalay & Madushika Weerasinghe (above right) of Hatton National Bank who had to satisfy themselves with the 2^nd & 3^rd place with 6 points each on tiebreaks.

Miyurini beat Esandi Senevirathne, Yesandi Wickramarachchi, Madushika Weerasinghe, S P T K Premaratne, A Merulasha & S K Somarathne and lost to Niketha T Karunananda to score 6 points, winning the Gold Medal. Somarathne beat Sesandi Dilansa Gamage, Ruvini De Silva, H K Aruneemaa, G A U D Kumari, B Bhagya Indumini & Niketha T Karunananda but lost to the Champion Miyurini to win the Silver Medal. Madushika Weerasinghe beat Thedara Kulasena, Yehara Yethmini, Amaya Galappaththi, Rachini Prasanga Adikari, B Bhagya Indumini & Niketha T Karunananda to score 6 points and won the Bronze Medal.

The Novices Division of the Sri Lanka Online Rapid National Chess Championships 2021 is planned to have in 7 regions, Western I (Colombo District), Western II (Gampaha and Kaluthara District), Central Province, Wayamba Province, Southern Province, Sabaragamuwa Region (Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces) and Northern Region (Northern, Eastern and North Central Provinces). The four regions are already over.

Top 23 players of the Southern Open Event and the Top 15 players of the Central Women’s event will be qualified to the appropriate Majors Division Chess Championships to be held from late August 2021.

The Inaugural Sri Lanka Online National Rapid Chess Championship Cycle 2021 consists of 4 stages. The Cycle is started with the Novices events in 7 regions followed by the Major Division Events in the same regions. The Top players will join with the selectees from Major Division events in the National B event. The Top 14 players of the National B will join the current National Chess Champion and the Top rank player in the 15 round Robin in the 1st stage of the finals while a knocked out of top four players of Round Robin event will play as 2nd stage in the finals. The same structure will be followed in the Women Event as well.

Sri Lanka Online Rapid National Chess Championship Cycle 2021 – Southern Open
	Players selected to Major Division
Rank	Name	School/Club
1	Samaranayake Pamok Methdinu	Rahula College – Matara
2	Dissanayake Emal I S	Rahula College – Matara
3	Nimsanda K H Savitha	Dharmasoka College
4	Nanayakkara M M	Richmond College
5	Weharagoda H A Menula	Rahula College – Matara
6	Gunaweera Geenuka Kavinu	Rahula College – Matara
7	Weerathunga Kavinu Sathnura	Rahula College – Matara
8	De Silva Sanuth Nihinsa	Dharmasoka College
9	Nimthaka U J Nimuthu	Rahula College – Matara
10	Thrimahavithana Kemitha Randew	Rahula College – Matara
11	Thilakaratne H M Sithuka Ranmira	Battle Kings Chess Club
12	Fernando H. Gayaru Dulsara	Dharmasoka College
13	Onitha Dinudika De Silva	Rahula College – Matara
14	Jayasinghe L Hirun Randira	Richmond College
15	Nanayakkara Sanuk	Richmond College
16	Samaraweera R.B. Sethum Randira	Richmond College
17	Wijewickrama Ayod Induwara	Super Fighters Chess Club
18	Amarasinghe Senith Ranmika	Super Fighters Chess Club
19	Vidharshana T H Oshid Warshaka	Dharmasoka College
20	Wattage Ramiru	Royal College – Colombo
21	Perera Nethuka Mihisara	Richmond College
22	Kalupahana Hirun Harendra	Richmond College
23	Senarathne Chamithu Dewwin	Richmond College

Sri Lanka Online Rapid National Chess Championship Cycle 2021 – Central Women
	Players selected to Major Division Women
Rank	Name	School/Club
1	Gamage Miyurini	Hillwood College – Kandy
2	Somarathne S K	Swarnamali Girls’ College – Kandy
3	Weerasinghe Madushika	Hatton National Bank
4	Gamage Ranuli	Hillwood College – Kandy
5	Karunananda Niketha T	Girls’ High School – Kandy
6	Ariyarathne R M R A	Girls’ High School – Kandy
7	Merulasha A	Girls’ High School – Kandy
8	Aruneemaa H K	Good Shepherd BMV – Nuwara Eliya
9	Wickramaarachchi Yesandi	Girls’ High School – Kandy
10	Maddumage Neksha P	Girls’ High School – Kandy
11	Rajaguru R.M. Thiyansa Dinuli	Girls’ High School – Kandy
12	Indumini B Bhagya	Good Shepherd BMV – Nuwara Eliya
13	Wijethunga H Methuli S	Girls’ High School – Kandy
14	Ariyawansa Sanuji Risara	Girls’ High School – Kandy
15	Gamage Sesandi Dilansa	Girls’ High School – Kandy

 

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—The defending Champion Laguna Heroes and the San Juan Predators arranged a mouth-watering northern final duel after beating their respective rivals Saturday (July 24, 2021) in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as GM Wesley So Cup virtual tournament held through chess.com.

Led by Sub-Import Ukranian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko (above right) and two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (above left), the Laguna Heroes of Dr. Fred Paez outlasted Manila Indios Bravos of Mr. Joey Elauria, 2-1, in Armageddon play while the San Juan Predators of Mr. Michael Angelo Ong Chua stunned the Antipolo Cobras of Mr. Mc Daniel Ebao, 13-8, and 11.5-9.5, in 2 sets.
In the Armageddon, Shevchenko trounced FIDE Master Deniel Causo in Board 1 while Barcenilla beat National Master Jerome Balico in Board 2.

Sub-Import Indonesian International Master Yoseph Taher defeated Grandmaster John Paul Gomez in Board 3 to prevent a possible shut-out loss for Manila Indios Bravos.

Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna Heroes and the Manila Indios Bravos split the score 12-9, 9-12, in their first two matches to force an Armageddon play.

“Kirill (Shevchenko) and (Rogelio) “Banjo” (Barcenilla Jr.), both our top players, great efforts, nice game.” said  Dr. Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes including Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.

“I just feel like everything is falling into place,” GM Barcenilla said. “When I got here, obviously the goal is to win another championship and we’re two wins away.”

Meanwhile, Cordova Dagami Warriors of Dr. Ariel Potot swept Negros Kingsmen of Atty. Jason Bandal, 13.5-7.5, and 12-9, in 2 sets to face Iloilo Kisela Knights of Mr. Leo Sotaridona in the southern final encounter on Wednesday (July 28, 2021), winner over Camarines Sur Soaring Eagles of Engr. Jojo Buenaventura, 1-2 (Armageddon), 12.5-8.5, 2-1, (Armageddon).

Individual Championship

Rishita Narayanan of India leads the Under-7 Girls Championship with a perfect 6 points from 6 rounds followed by A. Charvi of India with 5.5 points and three players tied with 5 points apiece, namely Gaye Thalia Ventura of the Philippines and Bohara Ira and Pungavanam Samhita of India.

Khusbu Warisia of Bangladesh leads the Under-9 division with perfect 6 points from 6 rounds followed by four players with 5 points each, namely Sana Shadanpouour of Iran, Tselmeg Myagmar of Mongloia, Ukkali Krupha of India and Gllasea Ann Hilario of Philippines.

Gurvanbaatar Urangoo of Mongolia and Rosha Akbari of Iran are tied with 5.5 each in the Under-11 division followed by three players with 5 points each, namely Aizhan Sezdbekov of Kygyzstan and Melika Mohammadiand Maedeh Yousefian of Iran.

Lay Lalaine Regidor (PHI)

Mallick Mrittika of India leads the under-13 division with 5.5. points followed by Tze Chji Liew of Singapore, Lay Lalaine Regidor of Philippines and Jain Sachi of India with 5 points each.

Jersey Marticio (PHI)                Dahamdi Sanudula (SRI)

WFM Kai Ni Agnes Chong of Malaysia leads the under-15 division with perfect 6 points followed by four players with 5 points each, namely Jersey Marticio of Philippines, Saravanan Nithyashree of India, K.M. Dahamdi Sanudula of Sri Lanka and Bayanmunkh amin-Erdene of Mongolia.

In the under-17 division V. Rindhiya of India and Jerlyn Mae San Diego of the Philippines are tied with 5.5 points each for the lead followed by WFM Prachiti Chandratreya of India and Kun Fang of Singapore with 5 points apiece.

Team Championship

India-A, headed by Rishita Narayanan, has a dominating lead in the Under-7 division with 21.5 points after 6 rounds, far ahead of second running Iran-A with 13.5. The other members of India-A are A. Charvi, Bohara Ira and Pungavanam Samhita.

In the Under-9 division, India-B headed by S. Ukkali Krupha, leads with 17.5 points, ahead of Mongolia-A with 16.5 points and Philippines-A with 15.5 points. The other members of India-B are R. Charudharshinmi, Vedika Pal and Patankar Arpita.

In the Under-11 division, Iran-A headed by Rosha Akbari, leads with 18 points, ahead of India-B with 17 points. The other members of Iran-A are Melika Mohammadi, R=Asal Ebrahimi Rashti and Adrina Imani.

In the Under-13 division, India-A, led by Jain Sachi, leads with 17 points, a slim half point ahead of Philippines-A with 16.5 points and Iran-A with 15.5 points. Other members of India-A are Manasvi Afm Sanikommu, Kumawat Dakshita and S. Purnami.

In the Under-15 division, India-A, headed by Saravanan Nithyashree, leads with 17 points, ahead of Malaysia-A with 16 points and Philippines with 14.5 points. The other members of India-A are Saravanan Nithyashree, V. Enganayaki, Vedanshi Pandey and Tanisha Boramanikar.

In the Under-17 division, Philippines-A, headed by Jerlyn Mae San Diego, leads with 17.5 points, ahead of India-A and India-B who are tied with 16 points each. The other members of Philippines-A are Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian, Mariel Sadey Rinoa and Princes Louise Oncita.

 

 

 

The Asian Schools Online Chess Championship for Girls started on Tornelo with some 400 girls from 23 countries participating. Asian Chess Federation Deputy President Bharat Singh of India, Asia’s first Grandmaster and World Chess Hall of Famer Eugene Torre and National Chess Federation of the Philippines CEO GM Jayson Gonzales opened the tournament.

Visit chess-results.com to see round by round standings in age groups Under-7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 and download games.

The first round was delayed when Zoom hanged. All groups were in one Zoom good for 1,000 participants but after a certain limit, players could not enter the breakout rooms. Organizers had to change to use two Zoom accounts and the software worked.

Monitoring the players are a number of Arbiters led by Chief Arbiter IA Reden Cruz of the Philippines, Deputy Chief Arbiter Haroon or Rashid of Bangladesh, Fair Play Arbiter Luxman Wijesuriya of Sri Lanka, IA Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh of Iran, IA Kausar Bauyrzhan of Kazakhstan, IA KK Chan of Hong Kong, Husam Al Takroori of Palestine and a host of Philippine Arbiters.

Watch interviews of players in the Asian Chess Federation youtube channel above by Jamie Kenmure.

Asian Chess Federation also presents IA/IO Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh instructional videos, click below.

 

 

Minul Doluweera (above left), Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, the National Number 2 came to the lead with 3 points out of 3 games and Esha Pallie (above right) also got the lead in Women’s event after 3 rounds played on the first day on 23^rd July 2021.

Minul beat  Isuru Alahakoon and Chandana Wijekoon got a default point from IM Romesh Weerawardena to score 3 points out of 3 games. Esha Pallie of Visakha Vidyalaya beat Oneli Omaya Wilvalaarachi and Tharushi Niklesha and got a Draw from the National Chess Champion Nethmi Fernando to get 2 ½ points out of her 1^st 3 games.

The National Chess Champion, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage (photo above) of Ananda College, and Sri Lanka’s strongest Youth player, Susal De Silva (Nalanda College) are just a half a point behind the leader. Ranidu drew with Susal and beat Chandana Wijekoon and S Sivathanujan while Susal beat Chandana Wijekoon and Sasith Nipun Piyumantha. Sanidula Dahamdi (Musaeus College) is following Esha closely with a ½ a point behind scoring 2 out of 3 games with a win with the National Champion, Nethmi Fernando and two draws with strong WIM Sachini Ranasinghe and Tharushi Niklesha.

The Selection Trials for selecting the Sri Lanka National Chess Team for FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2021 are conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka on the Rapid time control of 15 Minutes + 10 seconds per each move played is progressing on the Chess.com platform. The event is scheduled to be played on 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th of July 2021 in two separate 9 rounds, round robin events for Open and Girls. The National Selection Committee of Chess in Sri Lanka has decided to play a Selection trial between the top 7 players of the Sri Lanka National Chess Championships, The Top 3 players of the Sri Lanka Rapid National Chess Championships and the top 2 FIDE Rated players of Sri Lanka both in Open and Women sections. The 4^th round will be started on 24^th at 17.00 hours.

The details can be fround from the following links:

http://chess-results.com/tnr570880.aspx?lan=1&art=2&fed=SRI

http://chess-results.com/tnr570879.aspx?lan=1&art=2

 

The Asian Schools Online Chess Championships starts today on Tornelo. A total of 888 boys and girls are competing from 24 countries, namely Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.

The Girls Championship is scheduled in the weekend of 23-25 July while the boys (open) championship is scheduled 29-31 July 2021 on Tornelo.

The event is an individual and team championship combined. Team members shall not be paired against each other.

Visit chess-results.com for full list of teams. You can click on “ACF” in Federation Selection to see all age group tournaments. Go to “Overview for team” to see all players of our country. Download regulations Asian Schools Online Chess Championships 2021.

 

 

 

 

by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Defending Champion Laguna Heroes and Southern Division top notcher Cordova Dagami Warrios routed their rivals to lead the semifinalists in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as GM Wesley So Cup Wednesday, July 21, via chess.com.

Photo shows Defending Champion Laguna Heroes headed by Team Owner Dr. Fred Paez paying a courtesy call on Laguna governor Ramil Laurel Hernandez last July 20.

The Heroes, backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, crushed the Pasig City Kings Pirates with 12-9 and 17.5-3.5 set victories in the Northern Division.

Cordova clobbered Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 13.5-7.5 and 14-7, in the Southern Division.

“I am happy because we have won the match. We will prepare for this week’s semi-final match,” Dr. Fred Paez said, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.

The win set up Laguna for a semis duel with Manila Indios Bravos, who survived an Armageddon match against the Isabela Knight Raiders, 3-0.

The other semis pairing in the Northern Division pit the San Juan Predators and the Antipolo Cobras, who posted contrasting wins.

San Juan dominated the Cavite Spartans, 12-9 and 18-3, while Antipolo survived the Armageddon duel against the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, 2-1,  after splitting the first two sets, 16-5 and 9.5-11.5.

Supported by Dr. Ariel Potot, Cordova, meanwhile, has a semis date with Negros Kingsmen, who bested the Zamboanga Sultans, 13.5-7.5 and 12-9.

Camarines Soaring Eagles dumped Mindoro Tamaraws, 14.5-6.5 and 17.5-3.5, to clash with Iloilo Kisela Knights, winner over Toledo City Trojans, 15-6 and 15-6, in the other Final Four pairing.

Semifinals are scheduled on Saturday,July 24, while Division finals will be on July 28. The Grand Finals will be on July 31.

Matches are played in one blitz and one rapid formats composed of seven boards each.

 

Liaocheng City, a well-developed chess city in China, echoed the celebration initiative by organizing a grand chess cultural festival to mark the International Chess Day, including online-chess puzzle campaign, kids tournaments, Ferris wheels chess games, chess seminar etc. Today Liaocheng opens the chess cultural festival and officially starts various activities to promote chess and the International Chess Day. On the opening ceremony, the organizer read the Greeting Speech of ACF President Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan to encourage all people joining the celebration.

Wang Fuxiang, the Director of Liaocheng Educational and Sports Bureau, marks the opening.

Liaocheng organizer invites chess fans in China to play online tactic puzzles on a chess APP from 19-21 July. Thousands of chess fans unites together to reach 720,000 points by answering chess puzzles with 1 puzzle 1 point. The theme is “pawn will help promotion”, meaning every chess fan will make contribution if he or she is willing to take part in and cooperate with others.

Another interesting activity is “Chess Poster Show”. Liaocheng designed many beautiful chess posters dedicated to International Chess Day and freely mail to 100 chess clubs in different cities in the nation. 100 Chess clubs, joining the campaign, will post photo or video of these posters on their social media to promote International Chess Day in their city.

Different levels of chess tournaments also starts on this Day, both OTB and online, among professionals or amateurs. The top winners get the chance to play on the highest position of Liaocheng city on a Ferris wheel.

Former Women’s World Champion, Xie Jun hosts a chess seminar in Liaocheng to introduce the chess history, chess education etc. Through live broadcasting, people are free to attend the seminar. Hundreds of school principals, trainers and parents have attended.

Former Women’s World Champion, Xie Jun hosts a chess seminar in Liaocheng to introduce the chess history, chess education etc. Through live broadcasting, people are free to attend the seminar. Hundreds of school principals, trainers and parents have attended.

\\

Former Women’s World Champion Xie Jun hosts the seminar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susal Wins the Online Blitz Chess Championship 

The International Chess Day is 20^th July 2021. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) was formed formally on the 20^th July 1924. Though FIDE was celebrating this day specially, as the founding of FIDE, UNESCO proposed to make 20^th July as the International Chess Day in 1966 and Chess fraternity celebrates with a lot of activities.

Chess Federation of Sri Lanka arranged two programs to mark the occasion. CFSL inaugurated a training program for 10,000 new comers ceremonially today in the presence of Mr. Hisam Al Taher (photo above), the Secretary General of Asian Chess Federation and Mr. Casto Abundo, the Executive Director of Asian Chess Federation via zoom platform.

Sri Lankan first Women International Master, Sachini Ranasinghe and Australian International Arbiter Jamie Kenmure (above right) conducted the program for two hours on 20^th July and it will be continued on 21^st at 7.00 p.m as well.

Sri Lanka’s promising Youth Chess player who is just 15 years old Susal De Silva of Nalanda College won the International Chess Day commemorative Online Blitz Chess Championship convincingly. The CFSL conducted the event for 40 invited players and 36 players played among whom were former National Chess Champion, Rajeendra Kalugampitiya, the current National Chess Champion and World Cup player Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage, President of Thailand Chess Federation Mr. N Sahapol and President of Chess Federation of Sri Lanka Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya.

Susal played strongly and beat Jayandi Bimansa, Rajeendra Kalugampitiya, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage, AACB Amarasinghe and S. Harishman to score full points.

The Balochistan Chess Association (BCA) under the umbrella of Chess Federation of Pakistan and Asian Chess Federation, is currently the most active chess body in the country, aiming to promote the Game in the region.

After organizing 8 provincial level events in three months, now the Association is promoting chess on District level. After District Kuzdhar Chess Championship won by Young Talent Ehsan Ullah Lehri, All the eyes were on the precious District Quetta Title.

The Event was organized in the Knockout format, where 21 Players were selected from different Clubs of the city and seeded as per their FIDE Ratings. Each player to play 2 games with his opponent, with white and black, in case of a tie, 2 Rapid games and in a tie again, 4 Blitz games followed by Armageddon.

Time Control was 60 minutes per side + 30 second increment from move one.

The events started with Top Seed Dr Muhammad Ayoub straight victory over Siddique (2-0) in first Round. Sher Hassan won from Mohib Khan after fighting 1-1 classical games, in Rapid tie breaks. Tauseef Ur rehman  eliminated Haroon Qaiyum in Rapid games, when both the standard games ended in draw.

The real fighting match of Round one was between Rehan Khan and Aurang Zaib, Rehan won first classical game, Aurang zaib struck back in second game, than Aurang zaikb won first Rapid and Rehan stroked back in second … the winner was decided in Blitz, where Rehan won 3 straight Blitz games.

Dr Muhammad Ayoub won straight games in Round of 16 from Sher Hassan and then quarterfinal from ahmed Ullah … in the Semifinal, top four players of Quetta were facing each other. Rehan khan won the first game from Mahmood Nasir in Semi slav Botvinnik variation, but Mahmood Nasir won back and won both Rapid games comprehensively.

The First game of Semi Final between Dr Muhammad Ayoub and Muhammad Ayaz khan was a real Gem, the game was a tough 108 move master piece … where Dr Muhammad Ayoub won a very slow grinding endgame, the Second game was straight forward win for Dr Muhammad Ayoub.

 In the Grand Finale, Dr Muhammad Ayoub once again maintained his dominance and won both games from Mahmood Nasir and remained unbeaten 10-0 throughout the Event.

Trophies, Certificates and Cash Prizes were distributed by President BCA, MPA Mir Akthar Hussain Langove.

 

Position	Prize
1st  Position	10000
2nd Postion	5000

In his closing Speech, President BCA acknowledged the contributions of top players and the organizers. The winner of the event Dr Muhammad Ayoub, Joint Secretary CFP and General Secretary BCA said that it was very tough event, both playing strength wise and demanding hell of Stamina.