The National Youth Rapid Chess Championships 2026 – Ratnapura District was held at Ananda Vidyalaya, Hidellana, Ratnapura, organized by Black Knights Chess Club in collaboration with Castle Chess Club on behalf of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL). The tournament featured eight categories played under a rapid time control of 15 minutes with a 10-second increment per move. IA Chathuranga Gunasena and Dammitha Kesari Senavirathna served as Tournament Directors, with Gunasena also acting as Chief Arbiter and Shaluka Dilan Gamage as Deputy Chief Arbiter.
In the Under 8 Girls Rapid, Nethuli Yasasthri Mahimgoda claimed the title with 4 points, finishing ahead of A D Kehansa on tie-breaks after both players ended level. K A S V Dinsari finished third. The Under 8 Open saw ACM Samika Sehas Themiya deliver a perfect performance, scoring 5 out of 5 to win convincingly. Raneth Vishvadinu Wijerathne finished second with 4 points, and Bhashith Chamoda Keeragala came in third.
The Under 10 Girls title went to Jesandi Thiyunima Samaranayaka with 4.5 points from 5 rounds, ahead of Tilanya Dewmini Dharmawardhana in second and Sethuni Senara Senevirathna in third. In the Under 10 Open, Vihen Damyuth topped the standings with 4 points, with Menuja Himsara Lakamal finishing as runner-up on 3.5 points and Sandes Sahansa Silva placing third.
V P Geekiyanage won the Under 12 Girls category with 4.5 points, followed by Dulmi Dahamsa Weerasekara on 4 points in second and Dulya Sandaruvi Vidanagamachchi in third. The Under 12 Open title was claimed by Sadeesha Manusara Wijesinghe, also on 4.5 points, with Daham Sathmina second on 4 points and Sasitha Pamodana Kandegedara in third.
The Under 14 categories were played over three rounds. In the Girls section, Hirundee Dinhara Mapitiya won both her games to take the title with a perfect 2 points, ahead of Anjani Nethsarani in second and Sudamsa Hirundi Suraweera in third. The Under 14 Open was won by Dinula Ranmika Mirissa Hewa, also finishing with 2 points, with Kalana Insitha Weragama runner-up and Soniru Abeeth Marapana in third.
Congratulations to all the winners, podium finishers, and every participant who took part in the National Youth Rapid Chess Championships 2026 – Ratnapura District.
