Sri Lanka’s Dulinma Ratnayake won the title of the Standard Women’s championship while Yenuthi Perera won the championships in the Blitz Women’s category at the Rahulians International Rating Standard Blitz Chess Championship organized by the Old Boys Chess Association of Rahula College in association with FIDE, the Asian Chess Federation and the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.
International Master (IM) Rao Sharm from India won two titles, the Standar and Blitz in the championship held at the Grand Rockland Hotel in Matara conested by over 450 in the fray.
In the Open championship (Standard) Rao Sharm won by scoring 8.5/10 points. Despite drawing three games, Rao Sharan clinched the title with superior tie-breaks.
In the Women’s championship (Standard) Dulinma Ratnayake emerged victorious with 7.5/10 points. She secured the title through a tie-break process.
Sharan and Yenuthi Perera won the championships in the Open and Women categories, respectively. Yenuthi Perera won the championships in the Blitz Open in the Women’s category.
This year, the prize pool amounted to Rs. 1.3 million with the champion receiving Rs. 150,000 according to the organisers. Trophies, medals and certificates, including participation certificates for all were presented.
The awards ceremony was graced by Dr. Sithira Seneviratne, Consultant Geriatrician and former chess captain of Rahula College, as the chief guest.
Tharaka Alahakoon, President of the Old Boys Chess Association of Rahula College and Janith Manupriya Liyanagama, Vice President of the Old Boys Chess Association of Rahula College, were also present. (YK)
