Sachini, Devnethmi score five points each as SL settle for fifth position

The FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020

The Sri Lanka National Chess team had to settle for the fifth position in Pool ‘B’ of Division III when they conceded a 1-5 defeat to Botswana in the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020 on Sunday. The team did well to record victories against even number one, International Cripple Association team and strong Tajikistan team in earlier rounds, but failed to turn tables on strong Portugal and Scotland teams in the round two and round eight. They also recorded a draw against the UAE National team.

The FIDE World Chess Olympiad is conducted by the World Chess Federation to compensate for the postponement of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad to August 2021 due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.

A total of 163 countries are participating in the event where FIDE has introduced a new format for the team to have two males, two females, one under 20 boy and one under 20 girl. The event is held in the Rapid Chess format with 15 minutes per side with 10 second increment from move one.

Sri Lanka beat Chinese Taipei 4 ½ – 1 ½ in the first round and lost to Scotland 2 ½ – 3 ½ in the second round. They received a walk over from Nigeria (6 -0) in third round, beat Tajikistan 4-2 in the fourth round, drew with the UAE in the 5th round (3-3), beat Angola 4-2 in the sixth round, beat IPCA 4-2 in the seventh round, lost to Portugal 2 ½ – 1 ½ in the eighth round and lost to Botswana 1- 5 in the last and final round to score 11 match points which placed them in the fifth position in their group.

Portugal, IPCA and Scotland placed first, second and third respectively in pool ‘B’ and advanced to level II which will start on Friday (14).

Women International Master Sachini Ransinghe was the outstanding performer for Sri Lanka as she scored 5 points in six games, while Devnethmi Dahampriya also scored five points in eight Games.

The Sri Lanka National Chess Team consisted of FIDE Master Harshana Thilakarathne (Maliyadeva College-Captain), FIDE Master Isuru Alahakoon (Sri Lanka Navy), Devnethmi Dahampriya (Visakha Vidyalaya), Ashvini Pavalchandran (Wycherly International School), FIDE Master L M S T de Silva(Nalanda College), WCM Sayuni Gihansa Jayaweera (Dharmasoka College), CM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage(Ananda College), FIDE Master Chinthaka Anuruddha (YMCA Kandy CC), Nethmi Fernando(Girls High School), Women International Master Sachini Ranasinghe (Nf3 Chess Club), FIDE Master Minul Doluweera (Royal College) and WCM Tharushi Niklesha (Visakha Vidyalaya). Ransith Fernando was the Team Manager while Rajeendra Kalugampitiya was the Coach.

The Polymath College International supported the Chess Federation by providing the venue and internet facilities throughout the event. Luxman Wijesuriya, Hony. Tournament Secretary and a Vice President of the Asian Chess Federation thanked Upali Gunasekara, the Principal of Polymath College International and the school’s management for their fullest corporation in making Sri Lanka’s participation a reality.