Susal and Dahamdi emerge National Chess champs

International Master Susal de Silva of Nalanda College and Women Candidate Master Dahamdi Sanudula of Musaeus College emerged champions at the Sri Lanka Open and Women’s National Chess Championships held at the Sports Ministry Pavilion at Torrington Square in Colombo.

Nalandian Susal de Silva retained the Sri Lanka National Chess Championship after scoring 10.5 out of a possible 14 points. This is the third consecutive year Susal claimed national championship, despite close competition from other contenders. In the Open segment, a total of 14 players competed where Susal was the top seed in the starting rank list. Young Dishal Nimsara Weerasekara and Fide Master Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage tied for the runnerup position, scoring 10 out of a possible 14 points. But with a better tiebreak, Dishal Nimsara secured the runner-up position while Ranindu Dilshan had to settle at third place.

Musaeute Dahamdi Sanudula claimed the Sri Lanka Women’s National title with a score of 10.5 out of a possible 14 points. She was ranked top seed in the starting list among 14 players, and lost only one game in the seventh round on her way to claim the national title. HMH Janandani Abeysinghe and WCM G.P.Y. Wijesuriya tied for the runner-up position with scores of 9 each, but with a better tiebreak, Janandani secured the runner-up position. Women Chess Master Wijesuriya had to settle in at the third position.

The annual tournament organised by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) was held from March 25 to April 3 with a total of Rs.1 million as cash awards on offer.