Thisarindu Induwara Crowned Sri Lanka National Chess Champion 2026 in a Thrilling Tiebreak Finale
Sri Lanka, April 2026 — The Sri Lanka National Chess Championship 2026 has come to a spectacular close, delivering thirteen rounds of edge-of-the-seat action and producing a champion who captured hearts across the island. When the final pairings were resolved and the scoresheets tallied, it was Thisarindu Induwara of Royal College, Colombo, who raised his hand in triumph — claiming one of the most coveted titles in Sri Lankan chess in breathtaking fashion.
A Championship of the Highest Stakes
Organised under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Chess Federation, the National Chess Championship stands as the premier individual chess event in the country, drawing the finest players from across the island to compete for the right to call themselves national champion. This year’s Open section featured a robust field of competitors representing clubs, colleges, and regions from Colombo to Jaffna, in what proved to be a richly contested Swiss system tournament played over 13 rounds.
The Tiebreak Thriller at the Top
As the tournament entered its final stages, two players had pulled away from the field in a gripping contest of wills. CM Sivathanujan, a Candidate Master carrying the higher FIDE rating of 2137, and Thisarindu Induwara, a 2110-rated player from Royal College Colombo who enters without a FIDE title, were neck and neck throughout the championship. Both warriors crossed the finish line on an identical and remarkable score of 9.5 points from 13 rounds — a testament to the consistency and quality each brought to the board every single day.
With the scores level, the arbiter turned to the tiebreak calculations, and it was Induwara who emerged victorious on the secondary criteria, claiming the national title in the most dramatic way possible. For a player without a FIDE title to outperform and outlast a Candidate Master across a gruelling 13-round national championship is no small feat — it is precisely the kind of story that reminds us why chess, at its finest, rewards preparation, resilience, and fighting spirit above all else.
Jaffna Makes Its Mark
Third place brought its own wonderful storyline. CM B. Janukshan, representing Jaffna Hindu College from the Northern Province, delivered a commanding performance to finish on 8.5 points — a full point clear of the chasing pack. Janukshan’s result is a proud moment not just for himself but for chess in Jaffna, a city with a rich chess tradition, and a signal that the North continues to produce players of genuine national calibre.
A National Championship of Character
What made this championship particularly memorable was the sheer quality of competition sustained across all 13 rounds. A Swiss system of this length is a true test of not just chess skill but of mental endurance, focus, and the ability to recover from setbacks and maintain form. The players who reached the podium did so by winning consistently against strong opposition — and the tiebreak battle at the summit only added to the championship’s lustre.
The Sri Lanka Chess Federation deserves commendation for organising an event of this standard, and the participating players — from schoolboys representing their colleges to seasoned club veterans — all played their part in making this a championship to remember.
Congratulations to All
A heartfelt congratulations goes out to Champion Thisarindu Induwara, whose title triumph is a moment of immense pride for Royal College Colombo and for Sri Lankan chess. Equal applause belongs to CM S. Sivathanujan for his magnificent campaign and to CM B. Janukshan for his stellar performance representing Jaffna. And to every player who sat across the board over these 13 rounds — your dedication to the game is what makes events like this truly great.
Sri Lankan chess is alive, vibrant, and fiercely competitive. The 2026 National Championship has proven that beyond any doubt.
