Esandi Newansa of Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda emerged under 18 champion at the International Online Youth Chess Championships which was conducted as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL). Esandi lost to a lower-rated Nethumli Rashmitha in the very first round but fought back strongly to beat all her other 6 opponents Esha Pallie, Minudi Ranasinghe, Dulinma Rathnayake, Chanindi Attanayake, Yasasi Abeysekara all from Sri Lanka, and Alaina Vincent (India) convincingly to reach 6 points out of 7 games and win the Gold Medal.
Meanwhile Devesh Madhani of Kolkotta, India scored 8 ½ points, just giving one draw to Dinuga Basnayake to win the under 10 title convincingly. He beat all other 8 opponents Dihein Wijeratne, Okitha Kuruppuarachchi, Lasitha Lakmuthu, KG Wimalaratne, Bhagya Samaraweera, Danindu Charutha, Dewdun Senehas, and Menuksha Devasurendra to reach the top being unbeaten.
Three players Nilash Kottage, Dewdun Senehas and Sanuk Nanayakkara have scored 8 points each in the under 10 open category, and Nilash and Dewdun won the silver and bronze medals respectively on the tie-breaking points.
The event was conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. A total of 246 in under 10 Open and 25 players in Under 18 girls participated. The Under 8 (Open and Girls), Under 10 open, Under 16 and 18 Girls and Under 18 Open are already over and the Under 10 Girls and Under 16 Open events will be held the next weekend. (D.R)