WFM Newansa Esandi Dominates Sri Lanka Women’s National Rapid Chess Championship 2025
WFM Newansa Esandi emerged as the champion of the Sri Lanka Women’s National Rapid Chess Championship 2025, delivering a masterful performance that showcased both resilience and tactical brilliance. The prestigious championship was held over two days, October 25-26, 2025, at the Hindu College in Ratmalana, bringing together over 150 of Sri Lanka’s finest female chess talents.
The championship was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka under the expert direction of IA Erosh Jayasinghe as Tournament Director and IA Tharindu Weerasekara as Chief Arbiter, with IA Chathuranga Gunasena serving as Deputy Chief Arbiter. The tournament was conducted as an eight-round Swiss system with a rapid time control of fifteen minutes plus ten second increment from move one.
In a fiercely competitive field, Newansa dominated the tournament by scoring an exceptional seven points from eight rounds. The champion started her campaign with commanding victories, defeating her opponents in the opening rounds with precision. Her only stumble came in round four when she faced Hesara Gunasekara, but Newansa demonstrated the mark of a true champion by bouncing back immediately. She secured crucial wins in rounds five through seven, including impressive victories over established players. The championship was sealed with a decisive final round victory over second-place finisher Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva, a game that proved to be the tournament decider.
The battle for second place was equally intense. Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva also finished with seven points but had to settle for the runner-up position based on tie-break calculations. De Silva’s tournament was a remarkable display of attacking chess, featuring seven consecutive victories from rounds one through seven before her final round loss to the champion. Her wins included dominant performances against strong opposition, showcasing tactical sharpness and excellent endgame technique throughout the event.
WCM Yamini Wijesuriya claimed third position with seven points, demonstrating exceptional strategic understanding and consistency. Wijesuriya’s campaign included important victories over rated opponents and two crucial draws in rounds four and five that kept her in contention. Her final round victory secured the bronze medal position. Wijesuriya’s performance was particularly impressive given the strength of the field, featuring wins against experienced competitors while maintaining composure in critical positions.
WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage finished in fourth place, also with seven points. Palliyage showcased excellent preparation and fighting spirit, scoring victories against strong opposition including a perfect start to the tournament. Her performance included wins in rounds five through seven before a final round setback, but her overall display confirmed her status as one of Sri Lanka’s top female players.
Dewli Abinadi Chanseya rounded out the top five with six and a half points from eight rounds. Chanseya’s tournament featured a balanced mix of wins and strategic draws, including crucial half-points that secured her position in the top five. Her tactical awareness and ability to convert winning positions proved vital throughout the competition.
The championship witnessed several other outstanding performances. Hesara Gunasekara scored six points and showed tremendous fighting spirit, including a notable victory over top seed Newansa in round four. Sandithi Kusalya Alwis also finished with six points, featuring impressive wins in the early rounds and demonstrating consistent play against rated opponents.
WCM Theruni Jayasundara, Kisali Chenulya Waduge, and WFM Dahamdi Sanudula all scored six points, highlighting the competitive depth of the tournament. Their performances included victories over higher-rated players and showcased the rising standard of women’s chess in Sri Lanka.
The tournament featured several exciting encounters in the crucial final rounds, with players battling for every half-point to secure their final positions. The tie-break system came into play for multiple positions, underlining the competitive nature of the event and the minimal margins separating the top performers.
The championship was supported by an experienced team of arbiters, including IA Chathuranga Gunasena as Deputy Chief Arbiter, along with FA Dilan Udayashantha, FA Surasinghe, and other qualified officials who ensured smooth conduct of the event. Their professionalism contributed significantly to the success of this prestigious championship.
Congratulations to all the participants and winners for their outstanding performances at the Sri Lanka Women’s National Rapid Chess Championship 2025. The event showcased the tremendous growth and talent in Sri Lankan women’s chess, with players demonstrating exceptional skill, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit. Special congratulations to champion WFM Newansa Esandi for her dominant performance and well-deserved title victory.
