Asian Junior Chess Championship commences

The Asian Junior Chess Championships commenced with a participation of over 50 players at the Citrus Hotel Waskaduwa on Friday. The overseas players were from India, Iran, Maldives, Kazakhstan and United Arab Emirates.

The event commenced with a simple opening ceremony under the patronage of Luxman Wijesuriya, the president of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka while Casto Abundo, the Executive Director of the Asian Chess Federation addressed the gathering virtually. Pointing out the importance of the event he said that it was the only other event by the Asian Chess Federation held as over the board except the Asian Senior Chess Championships 2021 which is now in progress in Syria and specially thanked the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka for coming forward to organizing the event at such a difficult time. He also thanked all the participating federations.

India has fielded a strong team, five players in open, including four strong International Masters, namely Mitrabha Guha (2509), Srihari Raghunandan (2448), GB Harshavardan(2384) and Vardaan Nagpal (2384). Iran has fielded four players with Golami Mehdi (2425). Sri Lanka is led by FIDE Master Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage(2300) of Ananda College with FIDE Master Susal De Silva(2131, Nalanda College) and FIDE Master Sasith Nipun Piyumantha (2214, Dharmasoka College) joining him in the fray.

In the girls event India has fielded two Women International Masters, Shri Savitha (2281) and K. Priyanka (2218) while Iran is in the number three slot with Women FIDE master Mahdian Anousha (2212). Sri Lanka’s 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. It will conclude on December 23.

The International Chess Federation is offering a Grandmaster norm and an International Master title for the Gold medalists.