The Sri Lanka National Novices Chess Championship 2026 Batticaloa District concluded with spectacular performances from the Eastern Province’s brightest young chess talents at BT/Shivantha Vidyalayam from January 30 to February 1, 2026. The championship was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, with M Diresh serving as Tournament Director and NA Arulrajah Shouthri as Chief Arbiter.
Open Category: Prince’s Flawless Triumph
In an exceptional display of chess excellence, Prashanthan Abishek Prince swept through the Open Category with a perfect 7 points from 7 rounds. Prince’s magnificent campaign featured victories against every opponent he faced, demonstrating outstanding tactical vision and strategic mastery throughout the competition. His dominant performance secured the championship title without dropping a single point, marking one of the most impressive achievements in the tournament’s history.
Kiruththik Niranjan finished as first runner-up with an outstanding 6.5 points from 7 rounds. Niranjan’s tournament was characterized by powerful victories and one strategic draw in the final rounds. His consistent performance throughout the championship, including crucial wins against top competitors, secured the silver medal position. The campaign showcased excellent positional understanding and fighting spirit.
Prithvesaran Rajarajeshwaran claimed third position with 6 points from 7 rounds. Rajarajeshwaran’s journey through the tournament featured impressive victories in the early and middle rounds, maintaining strong form against top-seeded opponents. His tactical skills and endgame technique were evident throughout the competition.
Dharshith Suthakar finished fourth with 6 points from 7 rounds, displaying remarkable chess prowess. Suthakar’s performance included a series of decisive victories in the opening rounds, demonstrating strong strategic planning and tactical awareness that kept him in contention for the top positions.
Thuvarishan Dinesh rounded out the top five with 6 points from 7 rounds. Dinesh’s tournament featured consistent play with important draws against strong competitors and crucial victories that secured the fifth position.
Women’s Category: Ambigaipakan’s Commanding Performance
The Women’s Batticaloa District championship witnessed an outstanding performance by Vysshnavi Ambigaipakan, who emerged victorious with 5.5 points from 6 rounds. Ambigaipakan’s campaign was marked by five victories and one strategic draw, showcasing tactical precision and positional excellence throughout the competition. Her commanding play established her as the clear champion of the category.
Karuni Kuhan finished as first runner-up with 5 points from 6 rounds. Kuhan’s tournament featured strong performances with impressive victories against top opponents. Her fighting spirit and strategic understanding were evident as she maintained competitive play throughout the championship, securing the runner-up position.
Nerusha Jetheeswaran claimed third position with 5 points from 6 rounds. Jetheeswaran’s campaign showcased excellent tactical abilities with powerful victories in crucial rounds, including decisive wins that confirmed the bronze medal position.
Sheshmika Meharaj finished fourth with 5 points from 6 rounds. Meharaj’s performance was characterized by consistent play and strong tactical execution, with important victories throughout the competition that secured fourth place.
Moviya Suthakar completed the top five with 5 points from 6 rounds. Suthakar demonstrated solid positional understanding and resilience, maintaining competitive play throughout the championship.
Tournament Format and Highlights
The Open Category championship was conducted as a 7-round Swiss system tournament, while the Women’s category featured 6 rounds. Both tournaments used standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. The championships attracted talented young players from across the Batticaloa District, showcasing the growing strength of chess in the Eastern Province.
The tournament saw several thrilling encounters throughout the rounds, with players displaying advanced tactical skills and strategic planning. The competitive nature of both events highlighted the depth of young chess talent in the region, with many players showing tremendous potential for future success in national competitions.
The championship served as an excellent platform for identifying and developing chess talent from the Batticaloa District, with the perfect performance by Prince in the Open category standing as a testament to the high level of preparation and dedication among the district’s young players.
Congratulations to all participants and winners of the Sri Lanka National Novices Chess Championship 2026 Batticaloa District. The exceptional performances demonstrated the bright future of chess in the Eastern Province and showcased the dedication and talent of Batticaloa’s young players.
