Kiringoda Thehas Rithmitha Claims National Blitz Title in Thrilling Competition
Kiringoda Thehas Rithmitha emerged as the champion of the Sri Lanka National Blitz Chess Championship 2025, securing the title with an exceptional performance that showcased both tactical brilliance and nerves of steel. The championship took place on October 26, 2025, at Hindu College, Ratmalana, bringing together the nation’s fastest thinkers for a day of rapid-fire chess action.
The tournament was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, with IA Erosh Jayasinghe serving as Tournament Director and IA Tharindu Weerasekara as Chief Arbiter. IA H N Chathuranga Gunasena supported the event as Deputy Chief Arbiter, alongside arbiters FA T M Dilan Udayashantha and FA Surasinghe. The championship followed a 9-round Swiss format with a lightning-fast time control of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment from move one, demanding exceptional speed and accuracy from all participants.
In a field brimming with talent, Kiringoda Thehas Rithmitha dominated the tournament with a remarkable 8 points from 9 rounds. Rithmitha’s campaign was nearly flawless, securing victories in eight consecutive rounds before suffering his only setback in round seven. His performance included crucial wins against strong opposition and demonstrated remarkable consistency under extreme time pressure. The champion’s ability to maintain composure in the rapid-fire format proved decisive in claiming the national title.
The battle for supremacy was fierce, with Karunaratne D C J matching the champion’s score of 8 points but settling for second place based on tiebreak calculations. Karunaratne displayed outstanding form throughout the event, including an impressive winning streak and a crucial victory in the final round that secured the runner-up position. His round seven victory against Kiringoda Thehas Rithmitha was one of the tournament’s most exciting encounters.
FM Pesandu Rashmitha Liyanage claimed third place with 8 points from 9 rounds, showcasing the tactical prowess expected from a FIDE Master. Liyanage’s campaign featured important draws in rounds five and seven, including a hard-fought battle against the eventual champion. His ability to secure draws in critical positions while maintaining winning chances in other games demonstrated excellent tournament strategy.
CM Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena finished in fourth position with 8 points, though tiebreaks placed him behind the top three finishers. As the top seed with a rating of 2124, Karunasena lived up to expectations with powerful victories throughout the tournament, including wins in the opening rounds that set the tone for his campaign. Despite a round five loss, he bounced back strongly to finish among the leaders.
Weerasinghe C C rounded out the top five with another 8-point score, making this championship one of the most competitive in recent memory with five players achieving the remarkable feat of scoring 8 or more points from 9 rounds.
The battle for the remaining top positions was equally intense. Galkotuwa K A R G W D R B G and Kaluarachchi Achinthya Shamen both scored 7.5 points, with Galkotuwa securing sixth place on tiebreaks. Both players produced exceptional chess throughout the tournament, with their final round performances proving decisive in securing their positions in the top group.
Rodrigo Lohas Dewmina and AIM Biman Koswattage also finished with 7.5 points, demonstrating the depth of talent in Sri Lankan blitz chess. The tournament saw several other outstanding performances, with multiple players finishing on 7 points, including Senarathne A A H M B, Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala, and several titled players who battled fiercely in every round.
The rapid time control created numerous exciting tactical battles and dramatic time scrambles. Several games were decided in the final seconds, with players making split-second decisions that could mean the difference between victory and defeat. The format particularly favored players with strong tactical vision and excellent time management skills.
Young talents made their mark throughout the championship, with several junior players performing admirably against more experienced opponents. The presence of multiple Arena International Masters, Arena FIDE Masters, and Candidate Masters highlighted the rising standard of blitz chess in Sri Lanka.
The final rounds of the tournament provided edge-of-the-seat entertainment, with title contenders battling for every half-point. The tiebreak system ultimately determined many final positions, underlining just how competitive the field was throughout the day.
The tournament was supported by an experienced team of arbiters including FA T M Dilan Udayashantha as Deputy Chief Arbiter, ensuring smooth operations and fair play throughout the intense day of competition.
Congratulations to all participants and winners of the Sri Lanka National Blitz Chess Championship 2025! The exceptional level of play and fighting spirit displayed by all competitors once again demonstrated the growing strength and passion for blitz chess across the nation. Special recognition goes to champion Kiringoda Thehas Rithmitha for his outstanding performance and to all the players who made this championship such a memorable and exciting event.
