Susal, Sanudula give respite for hosts

Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021

Promising youth player Susal de Silva and young talent Sanudula Dahamdi gave the hosts some respite as they did well to score points on day six of the Asian Junior Chess Championships 2021 continued at Citrus Hotel, Waskaduwa on Wednesday.

Susal drew his game against V.S. Rahul, the leading player of the championship. Susal earned half a point with his draw as Rahul continued to lead. Rahul had thus far beaten all leading players.  Susal is now tied for fourth place with Gholami Orimi of Iran (with 5 ½ points each).

Indian International Master, G.B. Harshawardhana beat Indian International Master Vardaan Nagpal to close the gap he had with Rahul to ½ a point. He has 6 ½ points against his name.  Harshawardhana will meet top seed Indian IM, Mitrabha Guha in the final round today. Mitrabha also came back strongly to beat Indian International Master Shrihari Ragunandan in the eighth round yesterday. He has six points and is in the third position. Mitrabha is the Indian National Chess Champion.

Musaeus College player Dahamdi did well in the eighth and penultimate round to draw her game against Indian Women International Master Savitha Shri, who headed the table throughout. The draw in their game resulted in Indian Women International Master K. Priyanka taking the lead in the points table.

Dahamdi and Anousha Mahdian of Iran are sharing 5 ½ points each but Sanudula is in the third position due to her better tie-breaker. Sanudula will meet Anousha in the final round where the bronze medal is likely to be decided.