IM G M H Thilakarathne emerged victorious at the Blitz Event of the 15th Ethugalpura International Chess Championship 2025, showcasing masterful tactical skills in the fast-paced format. The championship took place on December 20, 2025, at Hotel Blue Sky in Kurunegala, serving as the exciting blitz component of the six-day chess extravaganza.
The Blitz Event was organized by Knights Flame Chess Club, under the expert direction of IA Werochana Perera as Tournament Director and IA Thiwanka Tissera as Chief Arbiter. The championship was conducted as a 9-round Swiss format with a time control of 3 minutes with a 2-second increment per move starting from move 1.
In a fiercely competitive field, IM G M H Thilakarathne dominated the tournament with an exceptional score of 8.5 points out of 9 rounds. The International Master delivered a near-perfect performance, maintaining consistent victories throughout the event. His only blemish came in round 7, where he secured a half-point draw. Thilakarathne’s commanding display included crucial wins from the opening rounds through to the final round, cementing his championship victory.
The battle for the runner-up position was intense, with G W D M Dabarera finishing in second place with 8 points. Dabarera showcased remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, including notable victories against strong opponents. His performance demonstrated excellent tactical awareness and composure under the pressure of the blitz format.
A A H M B Senarathne claimed the third position with 8 points out of 9, also determined by tie-break calculations. Senarathne’s tournament featured impressive victories throughout the competition, including wins against higher-rated opponents that kept him in contention for the podium positions until the final round.
The tournament witnessed several other outstanding performances. K A R G W D R B G Galkotuwa and Sanuk Nanayakkara both achieved impressive scores of 8 points, finishing in fourth and fifth positions respectively. Both players demonstrated exceptional blitz skills and strategic planning under time pressure.
Young talents made their mark prominently in this championship. AIM Biman Koswattage showed tremendous potential with a strong performance in the Under-11 category. Similarly, AIM S D Welikumbura and several other junior players displayed the rising standard of Sri Lankan chess with competitive performances throughout the event.
The women’s category saw excellent competition, with B P Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva emerging as the women’s champion. De Silva finished with an exceptional 7.5 points and secured 8th place overall in the open category, demonstrating her tactical prowess against a strong field. WFM K M Dahamdi Sanudula also delivered a noteworthy performance with 7.5 points, engaging in memorable battles throughout the championship.
The championship featured several exciting encounters in the later rounds, with players battling intensely for every half-point under the pressure of the blitz time control. The tie-break system came into play for multiple positions, highlighting the competitive nature and high level of play throughout the event.
Congratulations to all the participants and winners for their outstanding performances at the 15th Ethugalpura International Chess Championship 2025 Blitz Event.
Chess Results : Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com – 15th Ethugalpura International Chess Championship 2025
