The Asian Zonal Chess Championships 2013 for Zone 3.2 was concluded in Sri Lanka making duel Champions from Bangladesh. Ziaur Rahman, the reigning Champion had a tough task but had a hard fought event to become the Champion again with 7 ½ point out of the possible 9 games. He being unbeaten had only 3 draws against two GMs Reefat Bin Sattar & Niaz Murshed and one local player Rajeendra Kalugampitiys. He beat GC Anuruddha convincingly to become the Champion which secured him a place at the next World Cup. Grandmasters, Reefat Bin Satter & Niaz Murshed were closely following Zia, but had to satisfy with the equal 2nd place having two draws in the last round with two local players TSS Pieris and Romesh Weerawardena respectively.

WIM Liza Shamima Aktar of Bangladesh had no opposition and scored a total of 8 ½ points out of possible 9, just having one draw with Manisha Sachini Gunaratne of Sri Lanka. She qualifies for the Next Women’s World cup. Reigning Champion WIM Sachini Ranasinghe had a rough event where she had two defeats against Liza and Nelunika Methmani from Sri Lanka. But, she managed to get the Silver Medal in the event with 6 ½ points. Nelunika Methmani who is just 15 years displayed excellent skill to won the Bronze medal with the WIM title scoring 6 points out of 9 games just losing to the winner. Sharmin Shrin Sultana of Bangladesh and Manisha Suchini Gunaratne of Sri Lanka also scored 6 points and won the WFM title as per the FIDE regulations for the Zonals.



Romesh Weerawardena created the Sri Lankan Chess History scoring 6 points out of 9 games, having a well erned draw with the Grand Master Niaz Murshed by becoming the 1st International Master of Sri Lanka. Prasanna Kurukulasuriya and Sajith Pieris of Sri Lanka also scored 6 points each and earned FIDE Master titles.

The Asian Zonal Chess Championship 2013 was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka from 2nd to 9th February 2013 at the MAS Fabric Park Institution and Hotel, Thulhiriya, Sri Lanka. Forty Six Players (34 men and 12 women) from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka participated in the event. You may get the tournament details from www.chess-results.com

The Awards Ceremony was held under the patronage of Mr. Upali Gunasekara, the President of Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, Mr. Miswa Deen, CEO, MAS Institution and Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya, the President, Zone 3.2 of President.

The prize winners:

Women

President – Zone 3.2