Anuruddha and Sachini claim Sri Lanka Open International chess titles

FIDE Master GC Anuruddha won men's title while international Master Sachini Ranasinghe won the women's title at the Sri Lanka Open International Rated Chess Championships 2015 held from August 20 to 24 and the YMBA in Borella and organised by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.

Four players tied for the first place in the Open event at 8.5/10 points each. They were Anuruddha, Master Chandana Wijekoon, M.A.N. Dhanushka and Chamil Priyankara. However Anuruddha achieved the championship on a superior tie break score. CM Chandana Wijekoon and M.A.N. Dhanushka took the first and second runner-up places respectively.

Two players also tied for the first place in women's category at 7/9 points each. They were Sachini Ranasinghe and B.T.A.Y. Senarath. However Ranasinghe won the championship on a superior tie break score. Nethmi Nirasha Gamage became the second runner up with 6.5/10 points.

Upali Gunasekara the principal of Royal College and the former president of the CFSL was the chief guest at the event.

Guests were Buddhi Panagoda (Hony Secretary CFSL), Erosh Jayasinghe (international arbiter and the chief arbiter of the event), Naditha Amarakoon (international arbiter and the deputy chief arbiter of the event), Werochana Perera (international arbiter and executive committee member of CFSL) and Dayal Siriwardena (treasurer CFSL)

Category winners:

Under-8 Open - ..S L. Lalindu Sathmina. Under-10 Open - Lisara Kodithuwakku. Under-12 Open - Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage. Under-15 Open - Chamath Weerasinghe. Under-8 Girls - WCM Ehsha Mishela Pallie. Under-10 Girls - Ashvini Pavalachandran. Under-12 Girls - T. H. D. Niklesha Tharushi. Under-15 Girls - G. P. Y. Wijesuriya. Rating1700 - 1900 - Pasan Vindula Liyanapathirana. Rating1500 - 1700 - H. G. Denuwan Theekshana Rating1000 - 1500 - Tuan Ehshan Pallie Best Unrated - S. P. Thewa Hettige

-(YK)