WCM K M Dahamdi Sanudula wins the Queens Chess Classics – The Inaugural International Rated Women’s Chess Championship 2025
The Queens Chess Classics – The Inaugural International Rated Women’s Chess Championship 2025 was successfully held from 17th to 20th April 2025 at the Sports Pavilion, Ministry of Sports, Torrington Square, Colombo. The Colombo District Chess Association organized the event on behalf of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. The championship was launched with the objective of promoting chess among women, and a cash fund of nearly Rs 400,000.00 was offered to the winners.
The event featured both standard and blitz championships.
In the standard championship, 128 players competed in a 9-round Swiss format with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. WCM K M Dahamdi Sanudula claimed the title by scoring an impressive 8.5 out of 9 points, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. Four players tied for the first runner-up position with 7 out of 9 points. Based on tie-break scores, H Sandithi Kusalya Alwis and AFM Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake secured the first and second runners-up positions respectively. H M H Janandani Abeysinghe and B P Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva finished in fourth and fifth places.
In the Blitz Championship, 85 players participated. This tournament was played as a 7-round Swiss event with a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. WCM K M Dahamdi Sanudula once again dominated the event, winning the championship with a perfect score of 7 out of 7. Three players tied for the first runner-up position with 6 points. With tie-breaks applied, Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage and Hesanya Thanthulage secured the first and second runners-up positions, while E W Dinudi Yesansa Erathna finished in fourth place.
In addition to the main prizes, awards were also distributed across various rating and age categories. The awards ceremony was graced by Mr Luxman Wijesuriya, the President of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.
Congratulations to all participants and winners for making the inaugural Queens Chess Classics a remarkable success.
