The Rahula Old Boys Chess Association successfully organized two prestigious chess events at the Grand Rockland Hotel in Matara, Sri Lanka, from November 13 to 17, 2025. The 3rd Rahulians International Rating Chess Festival and the 3rd Rahulians International Rating Blitz Chess Championship showcased the finest chess talent from Sri Lanka and abroad.
3rd Rahulians International Rating Chess Festival – A Masterclass Performance
In an absolutely dominant display, Australian Grandmaster David Smerdon achieved a perfect 10 out of 10 score in the 3rd Rahulians International Rating Chess Festival. The GM’s flawless campaign demonstrated exceptional preparation and tactical brilliance as he swept through the 10-round Swiss format without dropping a single point. Smerdon’s performance included victories against strong opposition and maintained impeccable form throughout the festival.
The battle for second place was equally thrilling.Kavishka Gimshan Laksiri secured the runner-up position with an impressive 8.5 points. Laksiri displayed remarkable consistency throughout the event, including crucial victories in key rounds and demonstrated excellent endgame technique. The young talent’s performance showcased the growing strength of Sri Lankan chess.
Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala claimed third place with 8 points out of 10 rounds. Ovitigala’s campaign featured important wins against higher-rated opponents and showed excellent tactical awareness. Despite a loss in round 9 to GM Smerdon, Ovitigala bounced back strongly to finish on the podium.
In the women’s category of the 3rd Rahulians International Rating Chess Festival, Sandithi Kusalya Alwis emerged as champion with an outstanding 8 points from 10 rounds. Alwis demonstrated exceptional skill and strategic planning throughout the festival, earning her place at the top of the women’s standings. Her performance included impressive victories against strong opposition and showcased her development as one of Sri Lanka’s leading female chess players.
WCM J M Theruni V Jayasundara also scored 8 points to claim equal first place in the women’s section, showcasing her consistent performance and tactical strength throughout the 10-round festival. The battle for top women’s honors was fierce, with both players demonstrating exceptional chess.
G A Senaree M I Gamaarachchi secured the second runner-up position with 7.5 points, displaying strong positional understanding and competitive spirit in every round. ACM A G Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya finished equal third also with 7.5 points, rounding out an impressive showing by Sri Lanka’s female chess players and highlighting the depth of women’s chess talent in the country.
The festival saw several other outstanding performances. Pamok Methdinu Samaranayake scored 8 points and finished in fourth place, while I M N S Ilangasinghe also achieved 8 points to secure fifth position based on tie-break calculations.
The event featured intense competition with players including Ramiru Sithika Gunawardena (7.5 points), N P M Lakvindu Nuwarapaksha (7.5 points), and H H Sasindu Lakshitha (7.5 points) all demonstrating excellent form. Young talents made their mark with strong showings throughout the festival.
CM Kosala Sandeepa Chamikara Amarathunge scored 8 points, while CM B Janukshan and several other titled players provided fierce competition, highlighting the depth of talent in Sri Lankan chess. The festival saw numerous exciting encounters in the final rounds, with players battling for every half-point in the highly competitive field.
Notable performances also came from Y Jayaweera (7.5 points), Menuksha Sahen Devasurendra (7.5 points), and WCM J M Theruni V Jayasundara (8 points), showing the competitive nature of the tournament.
Special Category – Sri Lanka Navy Champions
In the Sri Lankan Navy, Mercantile and Government Services category, the Sri Lanka Navy team emerged as champions. The team was led by H H Sasindu Lakshitha and Osheen De Silva, both scoring impressive 7.5 points, along with Masachchi Sineth Deshadara who contributed 7 points. This victory highlighted the growing chess culture within the armed forces and government institutions.
3rd Rahulians International Rating Blitz Chess Championship – Ovitigala’s Redemption
The 3rd Rahulians International Rating Blitz Chess Championship provided thrilling rapid-fire action over 9 rounds. Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala bounced back from the Standard event to claim the Blitz title with an impressive 8.5 points. Ovitigala’s performance in the faster time control demonstrated exceptional tactical sharpness and time management skills, including crucial victories in the final rounds.
CM Janukshan B finished as runner-up with 8 points, displaying excellent blitz skills and consistent performance throughout the championship. C U Hettiarachchi secured third place also with 8 points but placed behind Janukshan on tie-break scores. Hettiarachchi’s campaign featured several impressive tactical wins and demonstrated strong opening preparation.
The Blitz Championship saw GM David Smerdon finish in fourth place with 7.5 points, showing that even the Standard champion faced stiff competition in the rapid format. The faster time control brought out the best in many players, with tactical complications arising in nearly every game.
Women’s Champion – Blitz Chess Championship
WCM J M Theruni V Jayasundara dominated the women’s category in the 3rd Rahulians International Rating Blitz Chess Championship with 7 points, claiming the title with an excellent performance. Jayasundara showcased her strength in faster time controls, demonstrating sharp tactical vision and excellent time management throughout the 9-round event.
WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage secured first runner-up with 6.5 points, showing consistent performance in the blitz format. Sandithi Kusalya Alwis claimed second runner-up position with 6 points, while B Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera finished equal third also with 6 points. The women’s blitz competition featured exciting tactical battles and demonstrated the depth of female chess talent in Sri Lanka.
More Outstanding Performances – Blitz Championship
Other strong performers in the Blitz Championship included Pamok Methdinu Samaranayake (7.5 points), AFM Lithula Raveesh Perumpuli Arachchi (7.5 points), and Sehath Abayasinghe (7.5 points), all demonstrating excellent blitz skills.
The championship featured intense battles with players such as I M N S Ilangasinghe (7.5 points), N P M Lakvindu Nuwarapaksha (7 points), WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage (6.5 points), and Hiruka Hansana Senarathna (6.5 points) all contributing to the competitive atmosphere.
Notable performances also came from Menuksha Sahen Devasurendra (7 points), Sekitha Rasula Senanayake (7 points), and Kavinu Sathnura Weerathunga (7 points), showcasing the depth of blitz talent in the field.
Parents’ Event – Community Engagement
Adding a special community dimension to the festival, a Parents’ Event was conducted over 5 rounds. P C Neyomal Rebera emerged victorious with a perfect 5 points, demonstrating excellent chess understanding. W N Chandima and Chanaka Jayasinghearachchi both finished with 4 points, securing second and third places respectively. This event highlighted the festival’s commitment to engaging the broader chess community and promoting family involvement in the sport.
Tournament Organization
The 3rd Rahulians International Rating Chess Festival was conducted as a 10-round Swiss format with a standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one, ensuring high-quality chess and providing sufficient time for complex strategic battles. The 3rd Rahulians International Rating Blitz Chess Championship followed a 9-round Swiss format with blitz time controls. organized by the Rahula Old Boys Chess Association, with FI T N Alahakoon serving as Tournament Director. Chief Arbiter IA Tharindu Weerasekara led the arbitration team, supported by Deputy Chief Arbiter IA H N Chathuranga Gunasena and arbiters, ensuring fair play and smooth conduct throughout both competitions.
The tournaments featured comprehensive live game coverage and attracted players from various regions, creating a highly competitive and professional atmosphere at the Grand Rockland Hotel venue in Matara.
Congratulations to all participants, winners, and the organizing team for making these events a memorable success. The Rahulians chess tournaments continue to provide an excellent platform for chess development in the Southern Province and beyond, contributing significantly to the growth of the game in Sri Lanka.
