Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva Claims Perfect Victory at Sri Lanka Women’s National Blitz Championship 2025
Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva delivered an outstanding performance to win the Sri Lanka Women’s National Blitz Chess Championship 2025, achieving a perfect score of 8 points from 8 rounds. The championship took place on October 26, 2025, at Hindu College in Ratmalana, bringing together the nation’s top female chess talents for a day of intense blitz action.
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. The tournament was conducted in a Swiss System format with a blitz time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment from move 1, testing the players’ speed, accuracy, and nerve under pressure.
De Silva’s championship run was nothing short of spectacular. Starting with a victory over Thivinya in round 1, she maintained her momentum throughout the day with wins against top-seeded players, including WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage, WFM Esandi Newansa, and Sahansa Onara Sandithi. Her tactical sharpness and precise calculation in time-pressure situations proved decisive as she navigated through increasingly difficult opponents. The champion’s performance included crucial victories in the middle rounds that established her lead, culminating in a final-round victory over AFM Tamaya Bandara Bodhi to seal the perfect score.
The battle for second place was fiercely contested. WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage secured the runner-up position with an impressive 7 points from 8 rounds. Palliyage demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit throughout the tournament, scoring important victories in key rounds. Her only setback came in round 6 against the eventual champion, but she bounced back strongly with victories in the final two rounds, including a crucial win against AFM Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake in the last round.
WFM Esandi Newansa claimed third place with 7 points, showcasing excellent tactical awareness and strategic understanding. Newansa’s tournament featured notable victories over several top players, including a final round win against Sandithi Kusalya Alwis that secured her place on the podium. Despite a setback against De Silva in round 6, Newansa maintained her composure and finished strongly.
The tournament saw several other impressive performances. Hesara Gunasekara scored 6.5 points to finish fourth, demonstrating consistent play throughout the event. ACM Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya also achieved 6.5 points for fifth place, while WCM Theruni Jayasundara secured 6.5 points for sixth position. All three players showed excellent form and were in contention for top honors until the final rounds.
Young talents made significant contributions to the excitement of the championship. Sandithi Kusalya Alwis scored an impressive 6 points, including victories over several higher-rated opponents in the early rounds. AIM Linuki Thisenka also achieved 6 points, displaying strong tactical skills and fighting spirit. WFM Dahamdi Sanudula and AFM Tamaya Bandara Bodhi completed the list of players who reached the 6-point mark, highlighting the competitive depth of the field.
The championship featured several dramatic encounters in the crucial middle and late rounds. The games were characterized by sharp tactical battles and creative attacking play, befitting the blitz format. Many games were decided in the final seconds, with players demonstrating excellent time management skills under extreme pressure.
The tournament was supported by a dedicated team of officials, including Deputy Chief Arbiter IA H N Chathuranga Gunasena, along with FIDE Arbiters T M Dilan Udayashantha and Surasinghe, ensuring smooth conduct of the championship.
With over 150 participants registered, the championship showcased the remarkable growth and popularity of women’s chess in Sri Lanka. The event provided valuable competitive experience for players of all levels, from established titled players to promising newcomers.
Congratulations to Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva on her remarkable perfect score performance, and to all participants who contributed to making the Sri Lanka Women’s National Blitz Chess Championship 2025 a memorable and exciting event. Special appreciation to WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage and WFM Esandi Newansa for their outstanding performances, and to the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka for organizing another successful championship that continues to promote and develop women’s chess across the nation.
