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