THD Thisrindu Induwara (above right) of the Royal College, Colombo won the Semi-final I of the 3rd Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2022 outplaying Maleesha Savindu Weerathunge (above left) of DS Senanayake College with a score of 2 – 0 convincingly.
Maleesha started with unorthodox opening starting with Nf3 but Induwara played positive attacking Chess and earned a pawn on the 22nd move and Maleesha blundered two pieces for a rook in the next few move on the pressure gained which resulted in him losing the game. Induwara started the second game positively with e4 where Malisha wanted Sicilian defense. After the Opening, Induwara was having a clear attack in the King’s side where Maleesha was not having a good time with his inactive pieces. Finally Induwara won a piece at the 30th move and the game after few moves.
Vivash Samarakoon (above left) also from Royal College managed to win the Semi Final Two and advanced to the finals scoring a 1 ½ – ½ win over Pamok Samaranayake (above right) of Rahula College, Matara. In the 1st game, Vivash playing White, started with Sicilian, Alapin’s Variation both players opted to exchange the queens early and even after the pieces were exchanged regularly which ended in a tame draw. The 2nd game was played with the Giuco Piano Opening with total identical moves for a long session. But, in a Queen and Night endgame, Pamok lost a Pawn in the 27th move and finally Vivash won the endgame without an effort.
The finals between Induwara and Vivash will be played on 13th of February 2022 at the CFSL Headquarters, Nugegoda at 9,30 a,m. The consolation finals with Maleesha and Pamok will also happen at the same way. The both events will consists of two games with alternative colours. If the results are 1-1, two games of Rapid play with the time control of 15 minutes + 10 seconds will be played with alternating colours. If still tied two Blitz games of 3 minutes + 2 seconds will be played with alternative colours. If still tied an Armageddon game giving 5 minutes to white and 4 minutes to Black will be played. If the result is draw, it is a win for Black.
The 3rd Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2022 conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka is in progress from 3rd to 13th of February 2022 at the CFSL Headquarters. There were two round Robin Events of 11 rounds played as Group A and B in the first stage with 12 players each. Then the winner and Runner up of the each group were advanced to the Knocked out event as the stage II. CFSL is offering a Cash Award of Rs. 65,000/= with Trophies and Medals for the winners.