Ananda Balika National School, Hingurakgoda | May 8–10, 2026
The beautiful town of Hingurakgoda, nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, became the centre of the chess world this past weekend. From the 8th to the 10th of May 2026, the corridors of Ananda Balika National School buzzed with the quiet intensity that only competitive chess can produce, as the Sri Lanka National Team Chess Championship 2026 — North Central Province unfolded across two categories: the Open and the Women’s.
Organised by the Polonnaruwa District Chess Association under the banner of the Sri Lanka Chess Federation, the event was a testament to the growing strength of club chess outside of Colombo. With a five-round Swiss-System team format and a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move, the stakes were high from the very first board on the very first day.
FA R P D R Thilakarathne served in the dual role of both Tournament Director and Chief Arbiter — a responsibility handled with evident care and efficiency throughout the three-day event. He was supported by NA Dayal Rupasinghe and additional arbiters who ensured every game was conducted under fair and professional conditions.
Open Category: Silent Move Roars to the Top
The Open section was a showcase of tactical tension and team spirit. Across five rounds, clubs from across the region competed for the title, and it was Silent Move Chess Club that emerged as the deserving champions, finishing with 9 match points. Their consistency was remarkable — they navigated each round with poise, never allowing opponents to settle, and their final-round encounter against Silent Move Chess Club – Team A had a fascinating inter-club rivalry dimension that kept spectators glued to every board.
United Pawns Chess Club – Team A put up a spirited campaign of their own, accumulating 8 match points and finishing as worthy runners-up. Their performance across the tournament reflected excellent team cohesion, and their 6–0 sweep in the final round against another team underlined just how dangerous they were on their best day.
Silent Move Chess Club – Team A claimed third place with 7 match points, capping a strong tournament that saw them beat several opponents convincingly, including a 6–0 demolition in Round 1. The fact that both first and third place belong to Silent Move makes this a phenomenal achievement for that club, cementing their status as one of the premier chess clubs in the province.
Women’s Category: Royal Central College Reign Supreme
If the Open produced drama, the Women’s section delivered dominance. Royal Central College Team – A were on a mission from the very first round, and they never looked back. Finishing with a near-perfect 10 match points, they lost only two board points in their Round 2 encounter against United Pawn Chess Club – Team B, which briefly raised eyebrows — but they bounced back with authority, winning their final three rounds comprehensively.
Their Round 4 and Round 5 victories — by 6–0 margins — were a statement of class, signalling that this team had the depth and determination to outlast any challenge. For the school and its chess community, this title will be remembered with immense pride.
United Pawns Chess Club – Team A once again showed their quality, mirroring their Open counterparts with a strong 8-point haul and securing the silver medal. Their campaign featured some of the most competitive games of the Women’s section, and their performance across five rounds reflects a club that punches at the very highest level in women’s team chess.
United Pawn Chess Club – Team B rounded out the podium with 6 match points, delivering a solid account of themselves and showing that women’s team chess in the North Central Province has real depth across multiple clubs.
A Tournament to Remember
With an average rating of 1449 in the Open and 1410 in the Women’s section, and an average age of just 17 and 14 respectively, this tournament wasn’t just a competition — it was a glimpse into the future of Sri Lankan chess. Young players representing their clubs and schools with passion and precision, guided by experienced organisers and arbiters, made this a weekend that the chess community of the North Central Province will look back on fondly.
Congratulations to every team, every player, every coach, and every official who made this event possible. Special recognition goes to Silent Move Chess Club, Royal Central College Team – A, and United Pawns Chess Club for their outstanding performances. And a heartfelt thank you to the Polonnaruwa District Chess Association, FA R P D R Thilakarathne, the arbiters, and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
The chess clock may have stopped — but the memories made in Hingurakgoda will echo for a long time to come.
