Women International Master Sachini leads at the halfway mark Sri Lanka Women’s Chess Grand Prix 2020

WIM Sachini Ranasinghe (Nf3 Chess Club) is in the lead after six games of the Inaugural Sri Lanka Women’s Chess Grand Prix 2020 scoring 5 ½ points. Sachini who was four times Sri Lanka National Women’s Champion beat Dinushki Premanath, T.H.D. Niklesha, Oneli Weerawardena, Ashvini Pavalchandran and Prasansa Premanath in a row and drew the last against Women International Master, Nelunika Methmani, who fought strongly to obtain the final outcome.

Methmani (University of Sri Jayawardenapura) is following Sachini very closely with five points, just a half a point behind. Nelunika also beat four players and drew with Sachini and Janandani Abeysinghe (Mahamaya College, Kandy). Tharushi Niklesha of Visakha Vidyalaya beat Sayumi Piyumanthi (Dharmasoka College) to be placed third with a total of 4 ½ points.

The event conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka will culminate on August 2 at the Chess Federation Headquarters, Delkanda, Nugegoda. The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka has offered Rs 70,000.00 as cash awards. It will also award trophies and medals. The remaining rounds will start on Friday, July 31 at 3.00 p.m. and continued on Saturday and Sunday.

The results of the sixth round

Sayumi Gamage (Musaeus College) lost to Janandani Abeysinghe (Girls High School, Kandy)

WIM, Sachini Ransinghe(Nf3 Chess Club) drew with Nelunika Methmani (University of Sri Jayawardenapura)

Sandeepani M Tharushi (Devi Balika Vidyalaya) drew with Prasansa Premanath (Girls High School, Kandy)

Dinushki Premanath (University of Moratuwa) beat Ashvini Pawalachandran (Wycherly International Schools)

Tharushi Niklesha (Visakha Vidyalaya) beat Oneli Weerawardena (Lycium International School, Ratnapura)

Sayumi Vimansa Piyumanthi (Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda) got a bye

Standings after Round 6

1. WIM, Sachini Ranasinghe 5 ½

2. WIM, Nelunika Methmani 5

3. WCM Tharushi Niklesha 4 ½

4. Ashvini Pavalachandran 4

5. Janadani Abeysinghe 3 ½

6. WFM, Dinushki Premanath 3

7. Sandeepani Tharushi 3

8. Prasansa Premanath 3

9. Sayumi Gamage 2

10.Oneli Weerawardena 1 ½

11. Sayumi Vimansa Piyumanthi 1