The Sri Lanka National Novices Chess Championship 2026 Ratnapura District concluded with outstanding performances from the region’s brightest young talents from January 17 to 18, 2026. The championship was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka and showcased the exceptional depth of chess talent in the Ratnapura District.
Open Category: Abeykoon’s Commanding Performance
In an impressive display of chess mastery, Asvida Nethindu Abeykoon dominated the Open Category with 5.5 points from 6 rounds. Abeykoon’s remarkable campaign featured five consecutive victories before securing a strategic draw in the final round that confirmed the championship title. His consistent tactical awareness and positional understanding throughout the tournament demonstrated exceptional chess maturity for a novice player.
L R M Dahamsas finished as first runner-up with a solid 5 points from 6 rounds. Dahamsas’s tournament was highlighted by powerful victories against strong opponents, including crucial wins in the middle rounds. His strategic play and fighting spirit were evident throughout the competition, with important draws in critical positions and decisive victories that secured the runner-up position.
Senuja Dahamsara Dissanayaka claimed third position with 5 points from 6 rounds. Dissanayaka’s campaign showcased excellent tactical skills with notable victories in the crucial rounds, including impressive wins that kept him in championship contention until the final stages of the tournament.
R R S Imeth Randul finished fourth with 5 points, displaying remarkable consistency throughout the championship. Randul’s performance included strategic draws against top competitors and powerful victories that demonstrated strong positional play and endgame technique.
Vemitha Ramed Vedage rounded out the top five with 5 points from 6 rounds. Vedage’s tournament featured a series of impressive victories in the opening rounds, maintaining excellent form throughout and securing the fifth position through consistent performance.
Women’s Category: Gamage’s Stellar Campaign
The Women’s Ratnapura District championship witnessed an outstanding performance by Hesali Yuhasna Gamage, who emerged victorious with 5.5 points from 6 rounds. Gamage’s campaign was marked by five consecutive victories before finishing with a crucial draw in the final round that sealed the championship. Her tactical precision and strategic depth were on full display throughout the competition.
R R L N Nethpahani Bandara finished as first runner-up with 5 points from 6 rounds. Bandara’s tournament showcased exceptional chess skills with important victories and strategic draws in the later rounds. Her fighting spirit and positional understanding were evident as she maintained pressure on the leader throughout the championship.
Senulya Kemdini Ganege G R claimed third position with 5 points from 6 rounds. Ganege’s performance featured powerful victories against strong opponents, including decisive wins in crucial middle rounds that secured the bronze medal position.
Dulanya Agrasari Wijesinghe W A finished fourth with 5 points from 6 rounds. Wijesinghe’s campaign was marked by consistent play and excellent tactical execution, with important victories throughout the competition.
Sanuthi Dehansa Deshapriya completed the top five with 4.5 points from 6 rounds. Deshapriya demonstrated strong positional understanding and resilience, with crucial draws in critical positions and maintaining competitive play throughout the championship.
Tournament Format and Highlights
Both championships were conducted as 6-round Swiss system tournaments with standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. The tournaments attracted numerous talented young players from across the Ratnapura District, all demonstrating the growing strength of chess in the region.
The championship saw several exciting encounters throughout the rounds, with players displaying advanced tactical abilities and strategic planning well beyond their experience level. The competitive nature of both tournaments was evident as multiple players finished with identical scores, requiring tie-break calculations to determine final positions.
The event served as an excellent platform for identifying and nurturing young chess talent in the Ratnapura District, with many players showing tremendous potential for future success in national and international competitions. The high level of play demonstrated by the participants highlighted the effectiveness of chess development programs in the district.
Congratulations to all participants and winners of the Sri Lanka National Novices Chess Championship 2026 Ratnapura District. The exceptional performances demonstrated the bright future of chess in the region and showcased the dedication and talent of Ratnapura’s young players.
