Rahula College Claims Maiden 29th Battle of the Kings Crown on Tiebreaks in a Nail-Biting Finish
Colombo, April 26, 2026
There is something uniquely electric about school chess — the camaraderie, the school pride, the weight of representing your institution against rivals you have faced year after year. The 29th Battle of the Kings, held from April 24 to 26, 2026 at the grand Main Hall of Royal College, Colombo 07, delivered all of that and more. When the final moves were played and the scoresheets tallied, Rahula College, Matara had etched their name into the tournament’s history as the 2026 champions — and more remarkably, they did so for the very first time, claiming their maiden title at this storied competition.
A Tournament Steeped in Tradition
Organised by the Royal College Chess Club in collaboration with the Royal College Chess Advisory and conducted under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Chess Federation, the Battle of the Kings is far more than a chess tournament — it is an annual celebration of scholastic chess excellence. Now in its 29th edition, the event continues to grow in stature, drawing competitive school teams and passionate chess supporters together under one roof.
This year’s edition featured a five-round Swiss-System team format, with each round contested under a serious Standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one — conditions that demand both deep preparation and strong nerves. The tournament was managed using Swiss-Manager software, with all games rated under FIDE’s international rating system.
Order on the Boards
The technical management of the event was handled with precision by a dedicated arbiters’ panel. IA Naditha Amarakoon served as Chief Arbiter, with IA Sanjula Ravinath as Deputy Chief Arbiter and FA T M Dilan Udayashantha among the arbiters ensuring the smooth running of all rounds.
The Battle Unfolds
From the opening round, Rahula College made their intentions abundantly clear, recording an emphatic six board-point haul against their Round 1 opponents. Under the careful guidance of their coach, Tharaka Alahakoon, the team maintained that momentum across the tournament, going unbeaten through all five rounds and picking up consistent results that kept them firmly in the hunt for top honours.
Royal College, playing in the very halls that bear their name, were equally determined. The hosts also swept through the tournament unbeaten, amassing five wins out of five matches and a total of 22.5 board points — identical to Rahula’s tally. With school pride and home advantage on their side, Royal College made it a titanic contest right till the very end.
The drama reached its peak in Round 5 when Rahula College faced Nalanda College, Colombo — a match that would prove decisive. Rahula won the encounter convincingly, collecting four board points to Nalanda’s two, and in doing so sealed not just a match victory but, as it turned out, the tournament itself.
A Finish Decided by Numbers
When the final standings were computed, both Rahula College and Royal College stood equal on 22.5 board points and 10 match points — making a direct comparison impossible by the primary and secondary tiebreak criteria alone. It fell to the Buchholz score — a measure of the collective strength of opponents faced — to separate the two sides. Rahula College’s Buchholz tally of 420.8 comfortably outpaced Royal College’s 377.0, handing the title to the Matara school in what was a hard-fought and fully deserved triumph.
For Royal College, the silver medal on home soil was bittersweet — a testament to how competitive they were throughout, and a clear signal that they will be formidable contenders once again when the 30th edition comes around.
Nalanda College, Colombo rounded out the podium in third place with 22 board points and 8 match points. Their consistent performances across all five rounds made them worthy bronze medallists and a highlight of this year’s competition.
Final Standings — Top 3 Teams
Rahula College, Matara claimed the gold with 22.5 board points, Royal College, Colombo took silver also on 22.5 points, with Nalanda College, Colombo securing bronze on 22 points.
Congratulations to All
To the champions from Rahula College — your journey to Colombo, your composure under pressure, and your fighting spirit across five demanding rounds made you worthy kings of this battlefield. This is a historic moment: a maiden victory at the Battle of the Kings, and one that will be remembered in the annals of Rahula College chess for years to come. A very special congratulations goes to Coach Tharaka Alahakoon, whose dedication, preparation, and belief in his players brought this dream to life. May this first triumph be the spark that inspires Rahulians to scale even greater heights in the seasons ahead!
To Royal College, whose students fought valiantly on their home boards — you have nothing but pride to take from this performance. And to Nalanda College and every team that competed: the Battle of the Kings thrives because of your participation, your preparation, and your passion for the game.
A special word of appreciation to the Royal College Chess Club and the Royal College Chess Advisory for organising yet another memorable edition of this beloved event, and to the arbiters and officials who ensured the competition ran smoothly from start to finish.
The 29th Battle of the Kings is complete. The 30th edition cannot come soon enough.
