Hotel Citrus in the coastal city of Kalutara, Sri Lanka, was alive with the sound of chess clocks and competitive excitement on May 18 and 19, 2026, as the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka hosted the Commonwealth Rapid Chess Championship and Commonwealth Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2026. Spread across twelve categories from Under-8 all the way through to the Open, the event brought together hundreds of players from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Singapore, South Africa, the Maldives, Scotland, Australia, Pakistan and many more nations, making it a truly multi-national celebration of Commonwealth chess.
The tournaments were run as seven-round Swiss-System events under a rapid time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move from move one. Tournament Director IA G. Luxman Wijesuriya oversaw the smooth running of the entire event, with IA Tharindu Weerasekara serving as Chief Arbiter for the Open category and IA Thiwanka Tissera leading the arbitration team for the youth sections. Deputy Chief Arbiters IA M. S. Gopakumar and IA Erosh Jayasinghe, along with a full team of arbiters, ensured that every game was conducted in the best spirit of the game.
Commonwealth Rapid Open — India’s Grand Masters Rule the Roost
In the flagship Open event, India’s Grandmasters produced a performance that left little room for doubt about their class. GM Iniyan Pa ran out champion with a superb 6.5 points from seven rounds, edging ahead of GM Srihari L R on tiebreak, who finished with a fine 6 points. The third step of the podium went to GM Mitrabha Guha, also of India, with 5.5 points. IM Ethan Vaz of India and FM Sakline Mostafa Sajid of Bangladesh rounded out a competitive top five. Sri Lanka’s best performer in the Open was IM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage, who finished with 5 points in sixth place — a promising result for the Sri Lankan flag in a field that averaged a rating of 1797.
The Youth Championships — Sri Lanka Delivers on Home Soil
While India claimed the lion’s share of gold medals across the youth categories, Sri Lanka’s young players rose magnificently to the occasion of competing in front of their own supporters, ultimately collecting a remarkable 12 medals across the Rapid Championship — four gold, three silver and five bronze.
In the Under-8 Open, India’s Evan Antonio Telles delivered arguably the tournament’s most dominant performance, scoring a perfect 7 points from 7 games to claim gold unchallenged. ACM Yasiru Mallawa was the pride of Sri Lanka in this section, earning silver with 5.5 points, while Leo Cordue of New Zealand took bronze with 5 points.
The Under-8 Girls section was pure joy for the host nation. Suhansa Uyanahewage Binadi stormed to gold with 6 points, claiming the title on tiebreak over India’s Pritika Nandi, who also finished on 6 points. Meleesha T. M. S. Thennakoon of Sri Lanka added to the local celebrations by clinching bronze with 5.5 points — a golden double for Sri Lanka in the girls’ section of the youngest age group.
The Under-10 Open was dominated by India, with CM Tamizh Amudhan S taking gold with 6 points, followed by ACM Kavish Palaniappan K and CM Sattwik Swain both on 5.5 points, claiming silver and bronze respectively. The Under-10 Girls, however, gave Sri Lanka two more medals to treasure. After WCM Nakshatra Gumudavelly of India won with an impressive 6.5 points, Yurenle Angela Fernando W of Sri Lanka (5.5 points) and Nethumi Dihansa Perera S of Sri Lanka (5.5 points) claimed silver and bronze to the delight of the home crowd.
The Under-12 Open produced one of the championship’s most memorable moments. CM Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena A. P. of Sri Lanka topped the field with a brilliant 6.5 points, claiming gold on home soil in a closely fought section. India’s Oishik Mondal matched his score but had to settle for silver on tiebreak, while Ilangasinghe I. M. N. S. of Sri Lanka secured bronze with 5 points — another double for the hosts in a single category. The Under-12 Girls podium, however, was an all-India affair, with Meha Arin A taking gold (6.5 points), WCM Pooja Shree R silver (6 points), and Manya Abhishek Drolia bronze (5.5 points).
India swept all three medals in the Under-14 Open, with Badole Shaunak claiming a flawless 7 from 7 for gold, and AIM Adhiraj Mitra and AFM Hari Vardan Satheeskumar sharing the silver and bronze positions with 5 points each. The Under-14 Girls produced a stirring Sri Lankan performance — AFM Mysha Perwez of India stormed to a perfect 7 points for gold, Divyasree Kollipara of India took silver, but Chanseya K. G. Dewli Abinadi of Sri Lanka grabbed bronze with 5 points to ensure the host nation did not go home empty-handed from this category.
The Under-16 Open was Sri Lanka’s moment to truly shine. Ovitigala Chenitha Mithvidu put on a commanding display to win gold with 6 points from 7, leading a strong Sri Lankan presence at the top of the standings. Abheek Bhatt of India followed in silver with 5.5 points, and CM Dandeniya D. D. L. N. of Sri Lanka claimed bronze with 5 points — a gold-and-bronze double for the hosts. The Under-16 Girls section saw De Silva B. P. Chanthuli Thanishka of Sri Lanka take gold with 5.5 points, edging out India’s AIM Theephigaa K. P. on tiebreak, while WCM Akshaya Sathi of India took bronze.
In the Under-18 Open, FM Reyan Md. of India produced an outstanding championship run to claim gold with 6.5 points, with FM Nandish V. S. of India earning silver on 6 points and Saksham Wadhwa of India completing an all-India podium with 5 points. Finally, in the Under-18 Girls event, WFM Saranya Devi Narahari of India took gold with 6.5 points, but it was Sandithi Kusalya Alwis H of Sri Lanka who turned in a magnificent performance for silver with 6 points — closing out Sri Lanka’s remarkable medal tally in style. Aswinika Mani R of India took bronze.
Closing Thoughts
Across all twelve Rapid categories, Sri Lanka collected 4 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals — a total of 12 medals — an outstanding achievement for the host federation and a testament to the depth and passion of chess on the island. India dominated the overall medal table with strength in nearly every category, while nations like New Zealand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Kenya and South Africa contributed to a vibrant, competitive atmosphere throughout the two-day event.
Heartfelt congratulations go out to all the champions, medallists, and every participant who made the journey to Kalutara to compete. A special tribute to the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka and the entire organising and arbitration team for hosting such a well-run, joyful event. Here’s to more Commonwealth chess magic ahead!
