Youth Chess C’ships this weekend

CHESS: Qualifying rounds to select finalists for the National Youth Chess Championships will be in 8 centres this weekend, according to Chess Federation officials.

Separate tournaments will be held in Colombo (as Isipathana College), Kandy (Vidyartha College), Kurunegala (Wayamba Royal College), Kegalle (St. Mary’s College), Matara (St. Thomas’ Girls’ School) and Matale (venue to be announced) on May 18-20.

The qualifying tournaments in Nuwara Eliya (Highlanda Central College, Hatton) and Anuradhapura (Anuradhapura Central College) will be held on May 19 and 20. The Jaffna event may be postponed for the following week due to general unrest in the district and the closure of some schools.

All events will be held over 12 categories; Under 8,10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 (for boys and girls). The finals will be held in Colombo from May 31 to June 3.

Finalists have already been found from the Ratnapura and Polonnaruwa Districts while a third set of qualifying tournaments will be held from May 25-27 in Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Ampara and Badulla. The tournament is being conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.