Two chess teams leave for KL

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

Two teams from Sri Lanka left the island yesterday to take part in the World Inter Varsity Chess Championship which will be held from December 4 to 12 at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lampur in Malaysia.

The tournament is organised by the Malaysian Chess Federation. The two teams included several top players in the country including Sri Lanka former national champion Athula Russel.

The other players: Prasanna Kurukulasooriya, Gaya Peiris, C. Chandana, Kanthana Palihawadane, H. Chandima, Ruwantha Lakshan, Nishantha Withanage, Kaushalya Kularatne, Ahalya Kularatne, P.P.R. Perera, C. Parapearachchi, T.D. Ketalawala, A.A. Peramunugama, G.G. Wickramasinghe, S. Dissanayake, E.D. Yoga, R.M.T. Subashini, A.D. Gunasekara, I.L. Wanniarachchi.

China emerged champions last year while host Malaysia and Sri Lanka ended second and third.

In addition, Sri Lanka earned third place in year 2005 in this event in which India ended second and strong Russia finished first. This time Sri Lanka has a great chance of winning the trophy as India and host Malaysia seem to be the only teams which are capable of offering a stiff resistance. The other countries vying for honours in this event are Singapore, Iran, Philippine, neighbouring India and host Malaysia.

Mercantile chess tourney

Meanwhile, The Rapid Chess Championship conducted by the Mercantile Chess Federation will be held on December 9 in Colombo. This event is open to all players who are being employed in the mercantile sector.

Valuable cash prizes and many more prizes are on offer for the winners. More details could be obtained from President, Peter Wijayasekara (0773-647980).