Malisha, Dulnith lead Group A and B

Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2022

Maleesha Savindu Weerathunga of D.S. Senanayake College and Dulnith Sanviru of Royal College were leading Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ respectively with aggregates of 8 ½ points each at the end of the ninth round of the Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2022, conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.

According to results circulated by CFSL, Maleesha has earned his points beating Piyumi Amarathunga, Lakindu Gamage, Sathini Liyanage, Ranul Kannangara, Shenal Francis, Pamok Samaranayake, Upeksha Wadduwage and Oneja Abeysekara and forcing a draw against B. Janukshan to stay on top in Group A.

Dulnith beat his closest rival Vivash to take the lead in Group ‘B’ in the eighth round. Both carried seven points each until Dulnith  overcame Vivash in that round. Earlier he had beaten Insara Wickramaarchchi, MADD Munasinghe, Anujana Hasandi Sendanayake, Rehan Ekanayake, Hasindu Gamage and Chenaya Ekaratne while forfeiting a point with Mandiv Ariyaratne. He drew his ninth-round game against Jayandi Bimansa.

Oshini Devindya Gunawardena of Ferguson College was in the second spot in Group A with 7 ½ points, while Vivash Samarakoon was in the second spot in Group B with eight points. Oshini beat Sathini Liyanage and Ranul Kannangara in last two rounds to reach 7 ½ points. Vivash lost to Dulnith in the eighth round and beat Chanuth Jayakody in the ninth round.

Pamok Methindu Samaranayake (Rahula College, Matara) and B. Janukshan (Hindu College) had seven points each to share the third place in Group A. Pamok beat Upeksha Wadduwage and Lakindu Gamage in his last two rounds, while Janukshan held the leader, Maleesha for a draw in the eighth round and beat Upesksh Wadduwage in the ninth round. Thisarindu Induwara was in the third place with 7 ½ points in Group B.

The Sri Lanka Youth Chess Grand Prix 2022 conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka commenced on February 3. There are two round Robin Events of 11 rounds played as Group A and B in the first stage with 12 players taking part in each group. Then the winner and runner up of each group will play a knocked out round during the second stage. CFSL is offering cash awards of Rs. 65,000.00, trophies and medals for the winners.