DILI, 29 October 2021 (TATOLI) – The Secretary of State for Youth and Sports (SEJD), together with the Timor-Leste’s Sports Confederation (CDTL), and Timor-Leste’s National Chess Federation (FXTL) presented the national chess trophies, including certificate of appreciation to the 24 winners of the 3-day National Chess Championship held at Esperanca Hall, in Dili, from 26 to 28 October 2021.
The top six of the two categories of the competition, namely senior (male and female) and junior (male and female) were ranked according to their performances and scoring points during the competition.
The prizes for the first winner of top six the Senior Category (male and female) was US$ 200, second place received US$160, third place was US$140, the fourth place got US$100, the fifth place received US$70 and the Sixth place was US$50. Whereas, the prizes for the six winners of the junior category (male and female) : The first place received US$ 160, second place received US$140, third place was US$120, the fourth place got US$80, the fifth place received US$60 and the Sixth place was US$40.
The six winners of the Senior Men Chess Championship included Cosme Guterres (1), Helder de Araujo (2), Andrade Pinto (3), Tito dos Reis (4), Paulo Fernandes (5), and Jose Alarico Lopes (6). In addition, the six winners of the Senior Women Chess Competition included Maria do Ceu Gusmão (1), Germandina Xavier Soares (2), Elfiana dos Santos (3), Fretilina Viegas Americo (4), Matilde Ines Soares (5) and Zulmira Americo Tilman (6). Besides, the six winners of the Junior Boys Chess competition included Blanjeldinho Tilman da Silva (1), João Paulo Freitas da Costa (2), Zezinho Tilman Viegas (3), Rivanho Viegas (4), Rizky Suprato Fernandes (5) and Denio Celestino Amaral Pinto (6).
While, the six winners of the Junior Girls Chess Competition included Maria Soares de Araujo (1), Silvinha Tricia Judiana Gaspar (2), Sonizia Tilman da Silva (3), Cecilia da Silva Martins (4), Sebastiana Joe Soares (5) and Leonilva Francisca Xiavier (6).
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 3-day Chess Tournament, the President of CDTL, Afranio Xavier Amáral said the competition is important to identify and prepare the best Timorese chess players to compete at the regional and international level.
He said, therefore, the best players must improve themselves to represent Timor-Leste in overseas competitions like the Asian and Sea Games: “You need to level up your skill to compete at the international level one day.”
At the same place, the Vice President of the National Chess Confederation (FXTL),Vitor Bragança said that it is a good opportunity for our youth chess players to compete in such a tournament.
He said CXTL was established in 2014, adding 12 Chess Associations in the municipalities have been established, except for Oe- Cusse RAEOA.
The Representative of the SEJD, David Thomas de Deus said that it is not about winning or losing but learning: “Through this competition, the players will learn new experiences to improve their skills to make their dream come true.”
After receiving the trophy as the first place winner of the Senior Men Chess Championship, Cosme Guterres thanked the government for organizing the tournament.
“I call on the juniors to learn new skills to be the champion one day. So, keep learning and keep improving your skills” said Guterres.
In addition, Maria do Ceu Gusmão, the first place winner of the Senior Women Chess Championship said it was a feeling of relief after competing with many toughest competitors in the country.
“I will continue preparing myself to keep winning this kind of trophy in the next competition. I also want to compete at the regional and international level,” said Gusmão.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
