Susal, Sachni emerge champions

National Rapid Chess Championships 2020

FIDE Master, L.M.S.T de Silva of Nalanda College, Colombo and Women International Master, Sachini Ranasinghe of Nf3 Chess Club won the Sri Lanka National Rapid Chess Championship at the Sathara Hall, Maharagam on Saturday. The 14-year-old Susal produced a great performance remaining unbeaten to score a total of 8.5 points in games. He was awarded the title of Sri Lanka National Rapid Chess Champion 2020 with a trophy, gold medal and Rs. 20,000.00 in cash.

Ranasinghe, the most experienced women chess player in the country was also outstanding when she scored a total of 6.5 points in seven games. She too remained unbeaten to win the title.

Ranasinghe received a trophy, gold medal and Rs. 15,000.00 in cash.

The Sri Lanka Rapid Chess Championships were conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka with a total of 270 players participating in the Swiss system events where the men’s section had nine games and women section seven games.

Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Ananda College and Chandana Wijekoon of SL Navy Chess Club tied for the second spot with eight points each. Ranindu was awarded the silver medal on the result of the tie breaker. Chandana Wijekoon had to satisfy with the bronze medal.

Musaeus College’s KM Sanidula Dahamdi and Nevanjee Hewawasam of Visakha Vidyalaya were tied for the second place with six points each in the women’s category.

Sanidula was awarded the silver medal and a cash award while Nevanjee had to satisfy with the bronze medal and cash award.

The CFSL President, Luxman Wijesuriya who is the General Secretary of the South Asian Chess Council and Commonwealth Chess Association and Vice President of Asian Chess Federation was the Chief Guest while CFSL Treasurer, Erosh Jayasinghe was also present at the Awards Ceremony.