Rahul, Savitha win titles as Susal, Sanudula earn most points for hosts

Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021

India’s V.S. Rahul and Women’s International Master Shri Savitha won the respective titles while Susal de Silva and Sanudula Dahamdi were the players to gain highest FIDE rating points among Sri Lankan players as the Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 concluded at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa on Thursday.

V.S. Rahul who led from day one concluded the championship with 7 ½ points to win the gold in the open category as he scored a draw against Orini Gholami of Iran in the final round.

Rahul beat Kosala Amarathunga, Isara Dhahanayake, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage all three from Sri Lanka and three Indian International Masters Vardaan Nagpal, G.B. Harshawardana and Mitrabha Guha and drew games against Susal de Silva of Sri Lanka, International Master Shrihari Ragunandan of India and Gholami on his way to the gold.

Women’s International Master Shri Savitha of India drew her last game against Chanindi Mewna Attanayake of Sri Lanka to end up with seven points and the gold medal. She scored victories against Gimashi Weeratunge, Niklesha Tharushi, and Oshini Gunawardena of Sri Lanka, Al Maamari of UAE and Women International Master, K Priyanka of India and drew against Melika Mohammadi and Anousha Mahdian both of Iran, Sanudula Dahamdi and Chanindi Mewna Attanayake.

For the hosts Susal de Silva profited gaining 68.4 FIDE rating points in the open category while, Sanudula Dahamdi obtained 44.8 rating points.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 conducted by the Asian Chess Federation was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. A total of 54 players, 32 in Open and 22 in Women’s category participated in this even.

The Awards Ceremony was held under the patronage of Luxman Wijesuriya, the President of CFSL and a Vice President of Asian Chess Federation. Hisham Al Taher, the General Secretary of Asian Chess Federation and Casto Abundo, the Executive Director of Asian Chess Federation addressed the audience virtually.

Rahul, Melika win Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Chess Federation conducted an Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship to coincide with the Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021.  Rahul was once again the winner in the Open Category while Melika Mohammadi of Iran clinched the women’s competition.

Sri Lanka National Chess Champion, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Ananda College and young talent, Susal De Silva of Nalanda Collegewere tied for the second place. Ranindu won the silver medal as he had a higher tie breaker. Susal had to satisfy with the Bronze Medal.