The 16th Colombo International Chess Festival 2025 concluded in spectacular fashion at the Sports Ministry Pavilion, Torrington, Colombo 07, with India’s Sailesh R emerging as the classical champion. The prestigious five-day tournament, held from November 20 to 24, 2025, witnessed intense battles across three exciting formats – Classical, Rapid, and Blitz.
The event, organized by the Passed Pawn Chess Club, featured a highly competitive 9-round Swiss format with standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. Sailesh R showcased exceptional chess prowess, finishing at the top of the standings with an impressive 8 points out of 9 rounds.
The championship battle was fiercely contested, with Sri Lankan talent Kavishka Gimshan Laksiri also scoring 8 points but settling for second place based on tie-break calculations. Laksiri’s campaign featured consistent performances throughout the tournament, including crucial victories that kept him in championship contention until the final round.
India’s Sham R secured third position with 7.5 points, demonstrating remarkable tactical skills. The tournament saw several nail-biting encounters in the closing rounds, with players battling for every half-point to secure top positions.
Top Classical Performers
WFM Dulinma Hemalni Rathnayake delivered an outstanding performance, finishing fourth with 7.5 points and earning special recognition as the best female performer in the classical event. Osheen De Silva and Jayod Yasindu Rashmika Perera both achieved 7-point scores, showcasing the depth of talent in the competition.
AIM Nethsara Dias, CM Chandana Wijekoon, and Kalindu Deshappriya also impressed with strong 7-point finishes, while CM A A C B Amarasinghe continued his excellent form throughout the festival. The tournament featured several exciting battles between experienced players and rising young talents, creating memorable moments for chess enthusiasts.
Rapid Event Highlights
The rapid tournament, held on November 19 with an 8-round format at 15+10 time control, saw CM A A C B Amarasinghe claim victory with an impressive 7 points. Osheen De Silva finished as first runner-up, also with 7 points, while Thisarindu Induwara secured third place with 7 points.
WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana stood out as the best female performer in the rapid event with 6.5 points, followed by WFM K M Dahamdi Sanudula with 6 points, and H M D L Herath also scoring 6 points. The rapid format brought thrilling quick-fire chess action, with players demonstrating excellent time management skills.
Blitz Brilliance
The blitz championship witnessed IM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage’s masterful performance, achieving a perfect 9 points from 9 rounds. India’s Sham R and Sailesh R finished second and third respectively with 8 points each, showcasing their versatility across all formats.
In the women’s category, WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana and Onara Sandithi Sahansa both scored impressive 7 points, while WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage finished with 6.5 points. The blitz event, played at 3+2 time control over 9 rounds, provided edge-of-the-seat entertainment for spectators.
Best Female Performers
The tournament celebrated outstanding female participation across all three formats:
Classical Event:
- Champion: WFM Dulinma Hemalni Rathnayake – 7.5 points
- First Runner-up: Senaree M I Gamaarachchi – 6.5 points
- Equal Second: ACM Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya – 6.5 points
Rapid Event:
- WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana – 6.5 points
- WFM K M Dahamdi Sanudula – 6 points
- H M D L Herath – 6 points
Blitz Event:
- WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana – 7 points
- Onara Sandithi Sahansa – 7 points
- WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage – 6.5 points
Tournament Administration
The championship was conducted under the expert guidance of IA G Luxman Wijesuriya as Tournament Director and IA Tharindu Weerasekara as Chief Arbiter. Their efficient management ensured smooth operations throughout the festival, maintaining the high standards expected of an international-rated event.
The 16th Colombo International Chess Festival once again demonstrated the growing strength and popularity of chess in Sri Lanka. With over 300 participants competing across various categories, the tournament provided an excellent platform for both established players and emerging talents to showcase their skills.
Congratulations to all the winners, participants, and organizers for making the 16th Colombo International Chess Festival 2025 a memorable and successful event. The tournament continues to play a vital role in developing chess culture and providing competitive opportunities for players in the region.
