The 2nd Chronicles of Checkmate International Rated Chess Championship 2026 was one of the most ambitious and exciting chess events Sri Lanka has seen in recent years. Held at the elegant Hummingbird by Susiri Reception Hall, Piliyandala from February 19 to 24, 2026, the six-day festival brought together three separate FIDE-rated tournaments — a Classical Championship, a Blitz Championship, and a Rapid Championship — under one roof, creating a truly comprehensive competitive experience for players of all levels.
The event was organized by IA Tharindu Weerasekara, with Chief Arbiter IA Naditha Amarakoon and Deputy Chief Arbiters IA W S Gunasinghe and IA Sanjula Ravinath overseeing the flagship Classical event. The Blitz and Rapid tournaments operated with rotating chief arbiter responsibilities among the same experienced panel, ensuring the highest standards of officiating throughout. The Classical main event attracted a remarkable 474 players — one of the largest fields in Sri Lankan club chess history — with an average rating of 1512, underlining both the strength of the field and the growing prestige of this tournament.
Classical Championship: IM Subhayan Kundu Reigns Supreme Over 11 Rounds
The centerpiece of the festival was the Classical Championship, played over 11 rounds under the standard FIDE time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move. With international players from India joining a strong Sri Lankan contingent, the Classical was a proper test of chess endurance and quality from the very first round.
IM Subhayan Kundu of India was the standout performer of the entire event, claiming the Classical title with a superb 9.5 points from 11 rounds. Kundu navigated the enormous 474-player field with composure and precision, combining sharp tactical play with strong endgame technique to emerge clear at the top. His was a performance worthy of a champion at the highest level.
FM Bivor Adak, also of India, was the only player to match Kundu’s quality across the full 11 rounds, finishing as runner-up with 9 points in an equally impressive campaign. Between these two Indian masters, they set a standard that the rest of the field could only aspire to match.
The top Sri Lankan performance came from A A H M B Senarathne, who finished third overall with 9 points — a remarkable result that placed him ahead of several higher-rated international opponents and announced him as one of the most exciting emerging players in Sri Lankan chess. Fourth place went to Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala with 9 points, another outstanding local performance that rounded out a highly competitive top four.
AIM Nethsara A A T Dias delivered an impressive 9 points for fifth place, while S D Nadev Insara scored 8.5 points for sixth. CM A A C B Amarasinghe — competing on home soil — scored 8.5 points for seventh, closely followed by FM Chinthaka Anuruddh Galappaththi in eighth with 8.5 points, fresh from his Central Province Majors title just days earlier. Yasiru Weerasinghe and CM D D L N Dandeniya completed the top ten, both finishing with 8.5 points in a tournament that showcased the depth and quality of Sri Lankan chess at its very best.
Blitz Championship: IM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage Dominates in a Flash
The Blitz Championship, played on February 21 at the lightning-fast time control of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment, was a showcase of rapid calculation and nerves of steel. IM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage was simply electric, finishing the 9-round Blitz tournament with 8.5 points to claim the title in convincing fashion. His combination of speed, accuracy, and competitive instinct made him the class of the field from start to finish.
FM Bivor Adak continued his excellent week with 8.5 points to finish as Blitz runner-up on tie-break — a testament to his remarkable consistency across all three time formats of the festival. Third place went to Achinthya Shamen Kaluarachchi with 8 points, a fine local result. WFM Dahamdi K M Sanudula finished an excellent fourth with 8 points, and Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda claimed fifth with 8 points as well — underlining the exceptional local talent on display throughout the Blitz event.
Rapid Championship: Liyanage Completes the Double
The Rapid Championship on February 22, played at 10 minutes plus 5 seconds increment, saw IM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage complete a remarkable double — claiming his second title of the festival with 8.5 points from 9 rounds. His performance across both the Blitz and Rapid tournaments was arguably the individual highlight of the entire event, and a powerful statement of his quality among Sri Lanka’s best active players.
IM Subhayan Kundu once again demonstrated his class in the Rapid, finishing as runner-up with 8 points — making him the only player to finish in the top two across both the Classical and Rapid events. CM D D L N Dandeniya impressed with 7.5 points for third place, while FM Bivor Adak — completing a remarkable treble of top-three finishes across all three formats — claimed fourth with 7.5 points. Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala rounded out the top five with 7.5 points, completing a fine overall festival for one of Sri Lanka’s most promising young players.
A Festival to Remember
The 2nd Chronicles of Checkmate International Rated Chess Championship 2026 was more than a chess tournament — it was a celebration of the game at every level, from club players competing in their first rated event to International Masters battling across three time formats over six days. The scale of the event, the quality of the field, and the smooth organization by IA Tharindu Weerasekara and his team set a new benchmark for open chess festivals in Sri Lanka.
Congratulations to all the champions, prize winners, and every one of the hundreds of participants who made this event so special. We look forward to the 3rd Chronicles of Checkmate with even greater anticipation! ♟️🇱🇰
