R.R.Laxman Wins Kandky Open

International Master R.R.Laxman of Chennai scored nine full victories to win the Central Province Chess Festival's International Open at Kandy in Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Laxman, the 1983-born player is the current Indian Under-25 Champion and this is his first overseas triumph.

The 153-player event with a prize money of Rs.1.30 lakhs was won by the Chennai player with ease as he won all the nine rounds. "Yesterday night Laxman was on 7/7 and today he had won the tournament," his mother Dr Roopmala said. Laxman will receive the Governor's Trophy from the Governor himself later on Tuesday night according to Laxman Wijesuriya, Secretary of the Sri Lankan Chess Federation.

"My toughest game was against Veerawardhane in the seventh round," said Laxman who sounded excited about gaining eleven Elo points from this event.

Seven players from India took part. The second place went to Ramesh Veerawardhane (Sri Lanka) on eight points. The third place was shared by six players on seven points and it included R.V.Shandilya (Ind), Laxman Wijesuriya, D.Kurup, R.D'Silva, I.Palavatte, M.Jayawardhane (all Srilanka).