A Success Story: Kevin at Delhi Open 2020

Photograph by : Sent by Kevin

22 June 2020

Chat with the Gampaha District Best player of NCF 2019 Kevin Ranidu Silva who received free air ticket from Gampaha District Chess Association (GDCA) for Delhi Open 2020

by Samuel J. Anthony

'Don't be lazy. Keep practicing daily as it helps to keep your form up and this will help in the long run' - Kevin Ranidu Silva

How was the experience?

Well talking about my experience it was fantastic as I got to play against much higher rated players like GM and IMs. The quality of the games was really good as I was at the top of my game due to the exposure of the higher rated players.

Are you happy with the rating improvement? Do you like to play again Delhi Open?

I was really happy with my rating improvement as it went from 1854 to 1964 and I would really like to participate again in the Delhi tournament as it helped me to improve my chess and the experience I got playing from there was unimaginable.

How is your improvement? We can see there is a gap between you and the same age local players.

I improved quite a lot if I compare myself before and after the Delhi Tournament. Now I have passed the 2000 rating mark, I am currently ranked first in the U-16 rating category.

Any specific books you refer ...

I really don't have any specific books that I refer. So I just practice with the stuff I have.

Any specific top players you follow ...

I don't have any specific top players that I follow but I follow the games of the top tournaments that are happening around the world that help improve my chess.

How is your schoolwork?

My academics are good as I have always placed top 5 in the class so I balance my academics and chess really well.

Any advice for young players especially when they are setting the goals ...

I really don't have any advice as I don't know what to say but if I must say, 'don't be lazy and keep practicing daily as it helps to keep your form up and this will help in the long run'.

Here is one of his games, which was played in the Delhi tournament.

[Event "18th delhi open"] [Site "?"] [Date "2020.01.11"] [Round "?"] [White "Kevin Ranidu Silva"] [Black "Fedorov Alexei"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B06"] [WhiteElo "1854"] [BlackElo "2572"] [PlyCount "120"] [SourceDate "2018.08.25"] 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. Be3 Qa5 5. Qd2 cxd4 6. Bxd4 Bxd4 7. Qxd4 Nf6 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Qd2 O-O 10. Bd3 d6 11. O-O Bd7 12. a3 Ne5 13. Nxe5 Qxe5 14. f4 Qd4+ 15. Kh1 Bc6 16. Rae1 Rad8 17. Qf2 (17. b4 b5 18. Ne2 Qb6 19. Ng3) 17... Qxf2 18. Rxf2 e6 19. h3 a6 20. Kh2 b5 21. e5 dxe5 22. fxe5 Nd7 23. b4 Kg7 24. a4 Rb8 25. axb5 axb5 26. Rd2 Rfc8 27. Bf1 Rc7 28. Rd6 Kf8 29. Re3 Ke7 30. Rd4 Ra7 31. Be2 Ra1 32. Rd2 h5 33. h4 Rc1 34. Bd3 Nb6 35. Rf2 Nd5 36. Nxd5+ Bxd5 37. Rf4 Rc8 38. Re2 Bc6 39. Kg3 Rd8 40. Kf2 (40. Ref2 $1 Be8 (40... f5 41. exf6+) 41. Bxb5 Bxb5 42. Rxf7+ Ke8 43. Rf8+ Kd7 44. Rd2+ Kc7) 40... g5 41. hxg5 Rg8 42. g6 fxg6 43. Rf6 g5 44. Ke3 h4 45. Rh6 Rg7 46. Rh8 (46. Kd4 Rg1 47. Kc5 Bd5 48. Rh8 g4 49. c4 Bxc4 50. Bxc4 bxc4 51. Rxh4 c3 52. b5 Rd1 53. Rc2 Rd2 54. Rxc3 Rxg2 55. b6 Kf7 56. Rb3) 46... Rg1 47. Be4 Bxe4 48. Kxe4 Rf7 49. Kd4 Rd1+ 50. Kc5 Rd5+ 51. Kc6 Rf4 52. c3 Rd3 53. Ra2 Rxc3+ 54. Kxb5 Kf7 55. Rh6 Rb3 56. Ra7+ Kg8 57. Rxe6 Rbxb4+ 58. Kc5 Rfc4+ 59. Kd5 Rd4+ 60. Kc5 Rbc4+ 1/2-1/2