The Paul Morphy Chess Club (PMCC), one of the premier Chess Clubs in the country, under the guidance of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, is set to organize the first ever International Women’s Open from the3rd to 9th March 2015 at the Public Library Auditorium.

The Last round and Prize Distribution will be held at the Royal College Union Auditorium. The tournament will be coinciding with the International Women’s Day. According to the organizers all interested Women Chess Players belonging to member federations of FIDE can participate in this 9-Round Swiss System.

The Total prize fund is over 300,000 Sri Lankan Rupees (approximately 2400 USD), with a First Prize of Rs 60,000 (USD 450). The Time Control is 90 minutes for the whole game plus 30 seconds increment starting from the first move. The Tournament will be played 2 rounds per day except on the last day.

Naditha Amarakoon - International Arbiter and Tournament Director explaining further stated, "This is the first women’s only FIDE Open to be held in Sri Lanka. As an initiative to promote and encourage more female chess players to enter the chess faction, we decided to organize the tournament commemorating the International Women's Day. Our country has produced excellent Women's Chess players including two Women International Masters and several champions gaining international accolades, a tournament of this nature will definitely be a platform for our local talent to come to the limelight".

He further added, "We have received positive feedback from many international players including players from India, Malaysia and Europe expressing interest in participation."

The tournament winners will receive the following prizes. Champion - Trophy, Gold Medal and Rs. 60,000/= 1st Runner up - Silver Medal and Rs. 40,000/= 2nd Runner up - Bronze Medal and Rs. 30,000/= 4th - Rs. 25,000/= 5th - Rs. 20,000/= 6th and 7th - Rs. 10,000/= each 8th to 15th - Rs. 6,000/= each.

Winners in the rating category 1400 to 1700, Below 1400 and Unrated Categories and Under 08, 10, 12 & 15 Age Groups winners will receive prizes and medals.

With a present membership that includes several Former Sri Lanka National Team players, the Paul Morphy Chess Club was founded by Danuke Kuruppu, Vinodh Kothalawala, Mayura Yapa and Chaminda Amarasekara in 2001.

In the following decade the PMCC reigned within the first three in the Sri Lanka Inter Club Super League Chess Championship, winning the 2005, 2006 and 2009 tournaments and finishing equal first in 2008. In addition the Paul Morphy Chess Club won the Sri Lanka Inter Club Women’s Championship in 2006 and 2007. The Club is affiliated to the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.

For further information about the tournament please contact: Tournament Director: Naditha Amarakoon, 120/1, Sadaham Mawatha, Walpola, Angoda Western Province, Sri Lanka. +94 775 792372 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..