Sethika wins under eight title at National Youth Chess Championship

Sethika Samaraweera of Royal International School receiving the trophy, gold medal, and cash award from CFSL Treasurer, Irosh Jayasinghe.

Sethika Samaraweera of Royal International School, Kurunegala won the SL National Youth Chess under 8 championship when he obtained full points of 7 out of possible 7 games with an unbeaten record. The tournament was conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) and concluded yesterday at the Sashthrananda Vidyalaya, Dehiwala.

Sethika played performed well from the start and recorded 7 wins against Hamrith P Riyon, K.P.D Jayarathne, D Jayasinghe Dulen Abiru, Sadew Dewsanka, Saviru Thinal, E.M Ekanayake, and Kemindu Sehas to earn the National youth (Under 8) Champion title, trophy, and the gold medal.

The competition was very tough while six players tied for the second rank with 6 points out of 7 games. Kemindu Sehas (Rahula, Matara) managed to win 2nd place with the Silver medal as he made the better tie-breaker to emerge runner up.

Hasadi Sethumsa(Sujatha Vidyalaya) had the next best tiebreaker and was awarded the Bronze Medal in this tournament.

Saviru Thinal of Nalanda College and Rasindu Manketh(Rahula College Matara) also scored 6 points and had to satisfy with the 4th and 5th places due to the poor tie-breaking points.

Earlier the district qualifying events were held in 19 districts and around 5,000 Chess players participated in the events.