National Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2024: A Showcase of Young Talent

The National Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2024 was successfully held on August 23rd at Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, under the auspices of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. The championship featured competitions across various age categories, including Under-8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18, with separate sections for boys and girls. Winners were honoured with trophies, medals, and certificates, celebrating their achievements in a competitive environment. The tournament followed a Swiss format, with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move.

Category Winners

Under-8 Open

1. Champion: ACM Sehandu Dulneth Fernando, 6.5/7 points (D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo)
2. First Runner-up: Jenul Wewakumbura, 6/7 points (Royal College, Colombo 07)
3. Second Runner-up: ACM A M Chesandu Yuven Aththanayaka, 6/7 points (Sumedha College, Gampaha)

Under-8 Girls

1. Champion: Warnakulasuriya Eleesha Fernando, 6.5/7 points (Holy Family Girls’ Primary School)
2. First Runner-up: H K Minudi Sandini, 6/7 points (R/Kahawatta Primary School)
3. Second Runner-up: S Nethumi Dihansa Perera, 6/7 points (Polymath College, Navinna)

Under-10 Open

1. Champion: A P Karunasena, 7.5/8 points (Nalanda College, Colombo 10)
2. First Runner-up: Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda, 7/8 points (Ananda College)
3. Second Runner-up: A A Senuth Thewsas Perera, 6.5/8 points (Gateway College, Ratmalana)

Under-10 Girls

1. Champion: R B Hasadi Sethumsa, 6.5/7 points (Mr/Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara)
2. First Runner-up: R M Esandi Pahangee M Ranasinghe, 6/7 points (Musaeus College, Colombo 07)
3. Second Runner-up: Emmanuelle Jegasuthan, 6/7 points (Royal Institute International)

Under-12 Open

1. Champion: Sehath Abayasinghe, 7/8 points (Rahula College, Matara)
2. First Runner-up: Amila Nimsara Ethkandura, 7/8 points (Ananda College, Colombo 10)
3. Second Runner-up: Ruvin Sandharu Jayasooriya, 6.5/8 points (Lyceum International School, Wattala)

Under-12 Girls

1. Champion: R B Pumudi Hansadi, 6.5/7 points (Mr/Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara)
2. First Runner-up: Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage, 6/7 points (Sanghamiththa Balika Vidyalaya, Galle)
3. Second Runner-up: ACM A G Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya, 6/7 points (Lyceum International School, Nugegoda)

Under-14 Open

1. Champion: Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala, 7/8 points (Nalanda College, Colombo 10)
2. First Runner-up: Pamok Methdinu Samaranayake, 6.5/8 points (Rahula College, Matara)
3. Second Runner-up: V W A Vinuda Vidm Wickramasinghe, 6.5/8 points (Boswell College International)

Under-14 Girls

1. Champion: B Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera, 6.5/7 points (Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara)
2. First Runner-up: B P Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva, 6/7 points (Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda)
3. Second Runner-up: J M Theruni V Jayasundara, 6/7 points (St. Paul’s Girls’ School, Milagiriya)

Under-16 Open

1. Champion: Sethun Neththaru Manuwaruna, 6.5/7 points (Nalanda College, Colombo 10)
2. First Runner-up: B Jayod Yasindu Rashmika Perera, 6.5/7 points (Sri Sumangala College, Panadura)
3. Second Runner-up: Senuka Damsath Somarathne, 5.5/7 points (Kingswood College, Kandy)

Under-16 Girls

1. Champion: AFM Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake, 6/7 points (Bandaranayake Central College, Veyangoda)
2. First Runner-up: M Esandi Newansa, 5.5/7 points (Dharmasoka College, Ambalango)
3. Second Runner-up: H Sandithi Kusalya Alwis, 5/7 points (Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda)

Under-18 Open

1. Champion: Sasandu Upeksha Dissanayake, 6.5/7 points (Lyceum International School, Nugegoda)
2. First Runner-up: Chivath Dathesha Gunaratne, 6/7 points (Dharmaraja College, Kandy)
3. Second Runner-up: Bhanila M Mathes Arachchi, 5/7 points (Thurstan College)

Under-18 Girls

1. Champion: AFM A G Javindi Avarjana Akuratiya, 4/5 points (Ferguson High School, Ratnapura)
2. First Runner-up: Chanethma Devangi Marasinghe, 3.5/5 points (Girls’ High School, Kandy)
3. Second Runner-up: Y Kaveesha Gunawardena, 3/5 points (Mahamaya Girls College, Kandy)

The National Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2024 was a resounding success, highlighting the emerging chess talent across various age groups in Sri Lanka. The winners not only took home trophies, medals, and certificates but also the pride of representing their schools and regions on a national stage. The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka continues to promote the game through such events, fostering a new generation of chess enthusiasts.