Damsara and Januki junior chess champions

Damsara Rajanayake of Dharmaraja College (right) receives his trophy from Chess Federation of Sri Lanka Vice President (Trainers’ Commission) Rajendra Kalugampitiya

Damsara Rajanayake and Januki Alwis have emerged victorious in the Junior and Girls National Chess Championships, worked off from August 18 to 21, at Berrewaerts Royal College in Ampitiya, Kandy.

In the the Open Championships, a total of 368 contestants engaged in a battle of wits, with Rajanayake representing Dharmaraja College claiming the crown. His exceptional performance secured him a remarkable 8 out of 9 points, leaving his opponents awestruck. Notably, Rajanayake’s undefeated streak featured two drawn games in the 6th and 9th rounds. The race for the first runner-up position witnessed a rare occurrence as seven players found themselves in a tie. SB Dharmasena of Maliyadeva College and BG Galkotuwa of Dharmaraja College showcased their prowess, securing the first and second runners-up positions, respectively.

Girls Champion Januki Alwis of Lyceum International School Wattala with her trophy

Both championships adhered to a 9-round Swiss system format, replete with a time control of 90 minutes and an incremental addition of 30 seconds from each move. The significance of the victory was accompanied by substantial rewards, including a cash prize amounting to Rs 180,000/-, in addition to medals, certificates, and coveted trophies that adorned the triumphant participants.

The Girls Championships, featuring a competitive cohort of 250 participants, witnessed the emergence of Januki Alwis from Lyceum International School Wattala as the undisputed champion. Alwis’s stellar performance resulted in a commanding 8 out of 9 points, underscoring her dominance in the field. A testament to her unwavering prowess, Alwis’s flawless record remained untouched, marred only by two drawn games in the 7th and 8th rounds. Nethmi Fernando of Girls High School delivered an equally commendable performance, yet due to tiebreak rules, she settled for the first runner-up position. The pursuit of the second runner-up spot was marked by intense competition, as two contenders with 7.5 out of 9 points vied for the position. Ultimately, Kaushalya Alwis of Anula Vidyalaya emerged victorious, bolstered by her superior tiebreak score.

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