National Youth chess champions

CHESS: The National Youth Chess Championship was concluded recently at Royal College, Colombo.

There were nearly 400 participants who competed at the finals representing their respective districts.

The finalists were chosen from around 2,500 players from the preliminary rounds held in 14 districts.

The tournament which was conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, took place under six age groups 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 for both girls and boys.

The winners are as follows:

Under-8 boys: Champion - Tharindu Maduwantha (Mihindu, Ratnapura), 1st runner-up - Punala Kiripitige (Ananda , Colombo), 2nd runner-up - Chatupa Induwara (Richmond).

Under-8 girls: Champion - Nethimi Ramalka (Sri Sangamittha, Colombo 10), 1st runner-up - Inuri Dileka (Southland), 2nd runner-up - Indeevari Jayasekeramudali (Holy Cross, Gampaha).

Under-10 boys: Champion - Senith Deelaka (DS Senanayake, Colombo), 1st runner-up -Nimantha Saranapala DS Senanayake), 2nd runner-up - Dimithri Seneviratne (Ananda).

Under-10 girls: Champion - Y.P. Egodage (Dharmashoka, Ambalangoda), 1st runner-up - Nathasha Sanali (Dharmashoka, Ambalangoda), 2nd runner-up - Imasha Balahewa (Southlands).

Under-12 boys: Champion - Pasan Kavikeshawa (Royal, Colombo), 1st runner-up - Lahiru Iroshana (Kalutara Vidyalaya), 2nd runner-up - N. Ousmand (Trinity).

Under-12 girls: Champion - Sachini Ranasinghe (Musaeus), 1st runner-up - Lumbini Ambanwela (Mahamaya), 2nd runner-up - Lakshika Wanasinghe (HGS, Kandy).

Under-14 boys: Champion - K.A. Akhikla Kavinda (St. Anne's, Kurunegala), 1st runner-up - TSS Pieris (Dharmapala, Pannipitiya), 2nd runner-up - Pasan Liyanapathirana (Ananda).

Under-14 girls: Champion - Lahini Walallawita (Musaeus), 1st runner-up - Gayathri Herath (Viharamahadevi, Kiribathgoda), 2nd runner-up - Dhakshika Sri Gunawardena (Vsakha).

Under-16 boys: Champion - R.M.C.M. Rajapakse (Dharmaraja), 1st runner-up - Raveen Thirimavitharana (Dharmapala, Pannipitiya), 2nd runner- up - Kavikeshava (Royal, Colombo).

Under-16 girls: Champion - Ayesha Rathnayake (Asian International), 1st runner-up - Nadeesha Lenagala (St. Joseph's Convent, Kegalle, 2nd runner- up - Mayuri Karunanayake (Musaeus).

Under-18 boys: Champion - R.S. Kalugampitiya (Vidyartha), 1st runner-up - Prageeth Madusanka (Devapathiraja, Rathgama), 2nd runner-up - Mihiranga Jayawardena (Royal, Colombo).

Under-18 girls: Champion - U.G.Y. Methmalee (Southland, Galle), 1st runner-up - Nimala Chandrasiri (Visakha), Colombo), 2nd runner-up - R.U.W. Gunawardena (GHS, Kandy).