Oshini and Top Seed Savitha share the lead

Sri Lanka’s promising chess player World Youth Online Under 10 Champion Oshini Gunawardena of Ferguson High School is sharing the lead with top seed, Women International Master Shri Savitha of India after the third round of the Asian Junior Girls Chess Championship 2021which is now in progress at Citrus Hotel, Wadduwa.

Oshini beat Anujana Sendanayake, strong WFM, Mahdian Anousha from Iran and Almaamari Zainab of UAE in her three rounds to score full three points while Savitha beat Gimashi Weerathunga, Niklesha Tharushi and WFM Al Maamari Wafia of UAE to reach three points. The crucial battle of leaders are expected tomorrow.

VS Rahul of India was leading the open event with International Master Harshawardena of India scoring full three points after three games. Rahul beat Kosala Amarathunga, Isara Dahanayake and International Master Vardaan Nagpal to reach three points while Harshavardhana beat Thisarindu Induwara, Hamad Al Shamsi of UAE and Seyad Poormosavi of Iran in his three points. The top seed Indian International Master Mitrabha Gua and Iran’s top Orimi Gholami are closely behind the leaders with a half a point behind with 2 ½ points each in open section. Women International Master K. Priyanka of India and Melika Mohammadi of Iran are closely behind the leaders in Girls section also with 2 ½ points each.

The Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 which is conducted by the Asian

Chess Federation is organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. A total of 54 players, 32 in Open and 22 in Women are participating in this event according to the Swiss System in nine rounds.

The winners in two categories are offered a Grandmaster norm and International Master title by the World Chess Federation. Even two tied players to top points will also be awarded International Master titles. Otherwise the Silver and Bronze Medalists are offered International Master norms.