Anustoop Biswas Claims Championship Glory with Dominant Performance
Indian chess player Anustoop Biswas emerged victorious in the 12th Kalutara Open International Rating Chess Festival 2026, securing the championship title with an exceptional performance that demonstrated both tactical brilliance and remarkable consistency. The prestigious tournament was held from February 4 to 8, 2026, at the Randiya Hotel in Moratuwa, bringing together talented players from across Sri Lanka and India.
Tournament Overview
The championship was organized by the Super Fighters Chess Club on behalf of the Kalutara District Chess Association, maintaining the high standards that have made this event a cornerstone of Sri Lankan chess. Under the expert direction of FA/NI D M Madushan Sameera Dissanayake as Tournament Director and the experienced arbitration of IA Dayal Siriwardena as Chief Arbiter, supported by Deputy Chief Arbiters IA Tharindu Weerasekara and IA Sanjula Ravinath, the tournament was conducted as a 10-round Swiss system with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move from move one.
Championship Battle: Biswas’s Masterful Campaign
Anustoop Biswas (rated 2208) dominated the tournament from start to finish, scoring an impressive 9 points out of 10 rounds. His campaign was marked by consistent victories and only two draws throughout the entire event. Biswas demonstrated excellent opening preparation, sharp tactical vision, and solid endgame technique that proved too strong for his opponents.
The champion’s path to victory included crucial wins in the opening rounds that set the tone for his campaign. In the critical ninth round, Biswas secured a vital victory against FM Arun Kataria, and followed it up with a decisive win against CM S Sivathanujan in the final round to clinch the championship. His performance rating throughout the tournament reflected his dominance, as he consistently outplayed opponents both tactically and positionally.
Intense Battle for Silver
FM Arun Kataria from India finished as the first runner-up with 8.5 points out of 10. The FIDE Master, rated 2300, displayed remarkable fighting spirit throughout the tournament and was in contention for the championship until the final rounds. Kataria’s consistent performance included a series of important victories in the middle rounds, showcasing his experience and tactical prowess. Despite the loss to eventual champion Biswas in round nine, Kataria bounced back strongly to secure the second position.
Sri Lankan Talent Shines
CM A A C B Amarasinghe claimed the third position with 8.5 points, matching Kataria’s score but settling for third place on tie-break calculations. The young Sri Lankan talent demonstrated excellent strategic understanding and tactical skills throughout the event. Amarasinghe’s tournament featured notable victories against strong opposition and important draws that kept him in contention for the top positions. His performance highlighted the rising standard of Sri Lankan chess and provided inspiration for young players across the island.
Strong Performances Throughout the Field
CM S Sivathanujan of Sri Lanka finished fourth with 8 points out of 10, displaying consistent play and strong endgame technique. His tournament featured several impressive victories and he remained in contention for the championship until the final rounds.
A A H M B Senarathne also scored 8 points, taking fifth place based on tie-break scores. Senarathne’s campaign included crucial victories in key moments and demonstrated the depth of talent in Sri Lankan chess.
R B A Chandrasiri finished sixth with 8 points, showcasing tactical brilliance and creative play that excited spectators throughout the event. His performance included victories against several higher-rated opponents.
Other notable performances came from Sanuk Nanayakkara (8 points), I M N S Ilangasinghe (8 points), M A Kisandu Randira Perera (8 points), and S D Nadev Insara (8 points), all demonstrating the competitive nature of the tournament where every half-point mattered..
Blitz Championship: Kiringoda’s Perfect Performance
Adding to the festival excitement, the 12th Kalutara Open International Rating Blitz Chess Festival took place on February 6, 2026. The blitz-fire event featured a blistering time control of 3 minutes with a 2-second increment per move, testing players’ speed, intuition, and tactical alertness across 9 intense rounds.
In a stunning display of speed chess mastery, young Sri Lankan talent Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda achieved a perfect score of 9 points out of 9 rounds to claim the blitz championship. Kiringoda’s flawless performance showcased exceptional tactical vision and nerves of steel under extreme time pressure, as he defeated all opponents without conceding a single draw or loss.
The blitz event was officiated by IA Sanjula Ravinath as Chief Arbiter, supported by Deputy Chief Arbiters IA Dayal Siriwardena and IA Tharindu Weerasekara, ensuring smooth conduct despite the fast-paced nature of the games.
Blitz Medal Winners:
Anustoop Biswas secured the silver medal in the blitz event with 8 points out of 9, demonstrating his versatility across different time controls. His only loss came against eventual champion Kiringoda, but he bounced back to finish strongly.
FM Arun Kataria claimed the bronze medal with 8 points, showing consistent performance in both classical and rapid formats. The Indian FIDE Master’s tactical skills were on full display in the high-speed encounters.
Fourth place went to C C Weerasinghe with 8 points, while G Thinuka Geethula Perera scored 7.5 points to finish fifth. The competition in the blitz event was fierce, with several players finishing on 7 and 7.5 points, including A A H M B Senarathne (7.5), CM A P Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena (7), N. Tarun from India (7), and Aritha Chanthula Abes Gunasekara (7).
Exciting Encounters and Key Moments
The tournament featured several memorable encounters that showcased the highest level of chess. The final rounds saw intense battles as players fought for every half-point, with the championship hanging in the balance. Time scrambles, brilliant tactical combinations, and precise endgame technique were on display throughout the event.
The combination of classical and blitz formats provided a comprehensive test of chess skills, rewarding both deep strategic thinking and quick tactical calculation. Players who excelled in both events demonstrated their all-around chess abilities and versatility.
Venue and Facilities
The Randiya Hotel in Moratuwa provided excellent facilities for players and spectators, creating an atmosphere conducive to high-level chess competition. The professional organization and smooth conduct of both events reflected the growing maturity of Sri Lankan chess organization.
Congratulations to Anustoop Biswas for his outstanding championship victory in the standard event and to Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda for his perfect score in the blitz championship! Special congratulations also go to all medal winners and participants who contributed to making the 12th Kalutara Open International Rating Chess Festival 2026 a memorable success.
The tournament once again demonstrated the growing strength and depth of chess in Sri Lanka, with local talents competing toe-to-toe with international players. The performances of young Sri Lankan players provide great hope for the future of chess on the island.
Thank you to the Super Fighters Chess Club, the Kalutara District Chess Association, all the arbiters, organizers, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event possible.
We look forward to seeing these talented players compete again in future championships, and we wish all participants continued success in their chess careers!
For complete results, pairings, and detailed statistics, visit: chess-results.com Standard Tournament: https://chess-results.com/tnr1333571.aspx Blitz Tournament: https://chess-results.com/tnr1346365.aspx
