Ethugalpura International Rating Chess Championship : The Epitome of Chess in Sri Lanka

• • The Ethugalpura International Rating Chess Championship is not just any chess event; it is the crown jewel in Sri Lanka’s chess calendar. Having created a
  • history of excellence, unmatched participation, and international acclaim, this tournament has gained popularity as the country’s prime stage for chess enthusiasts.

• • The Ethugalpura Chess Tournament has grown since its inception in 2009 into a fixture of chess culture in Sri Lanka. Organized around the historical city of Kurunegala, known as Ethugalpura, the tournament grew from a humble local competition to an international festival because of its great organization and high-caliber field.

• • It has grown and transformed with every year, something that sets it in a league of its own. From the meager beginnings when 204 competitors came into the arena in 2009 to now, almost 1,000 players each year prove its status as the number one chess battlefield in Sri Lanka.

 

Why Ethugalpura Is the Best

• • Unmatched Prestige: The Ethugalpura Chess Tournament is the most awaited event in the Sri Lankan chess calendar because of its professional organization, world-class facilities, and a spirit of great competitiveness.

• • Massive Participation: No other chess event in the country can match its scale. The 2023 edition alone saw 965 participants in the classical event and 582 in blitz, thus marking the highest numbers in Sri Lanka’s chess history.

• • World-Class Prizes: With a prize pool exceeding 2,000,000 LKR, along with trophies, medals, and certificates, the Ethugalpura Tournament rewards excellence like no other event in the region. 

• • International Prestige: As one of the largest international chess festivals in Sri Lanka, Ethugalpura consistently attracts top players from around the world, raising the competition to a global standard. 

Unrivaled Growth in Participation

One of the most telling signs of its dominance was when it built on participation numbers rather phenomenally. Year after year, it breaks new barriers as no other tournament could boast such an appeal to players across all levels.

Year	Classical Event	Blitz Event
2009	204	–
2010	350	–
2011	311	–
2012	441	–
2013	520	–
2014	520	–
2015	639	–
2016	653	–
2017	644	–
2018	735	–
2019	726	–
2022	661	248
2023	965	582

2023: A record-breaking 965 players in the classical event and 582 in blitz

This unparalleled growth reflects the trust and admiration of players in Ethugalpura as it remains Sri Lanka’s premier chess event. 

The 14th Edition: Chess at Its Finest 

• • The Knight Flame Chess Club proudly presents the 14th edition of the Ethugalpura International Chess Festival, promising another year of superlative chess.

• • Venue: The event will take place at the air-conditioned Hotel Blue Sky, Kurunegala.
  • offering a world-class experience for participants and spectators alike.

• • Prestigious Rewards: With a prize pool of over 2,000,000 LKR, this year’s tournament guarantees that top talent is recognized and celebrated.

• • A Global Gathering: Players from across the world will compete, ensuring a vibrant mix of strategies and styles. 

• • A Legacy of Champions The Ethugalpura Chess Tournament has stood the test of time, crowning some of the finest champions in Sri Lanka’s history, a proving ground for local and international talent. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Section

Year	Current Title	Previous Title	Champion Name	FIDE ID	Country
2009	FM	******	R S Kalugampitiya	9901124	Sri Lanka
2010	******	******	W. S. Vidura K. Koggala	9905979	Sri Lanka
2011	******	******	Arun Karthik R	5021030	India
2012	******	******	Daverkausen Bernd	4602919	Germany
2013	FM	CM	Chinthaka Anuruddha Galappaththi	9900438	Sri Lanka
2014	******	******	C M S Praneith Kumara	9901888	Sri Lanka
2015	FM	******	R S Kalugampitiya	9901124	Sri Lanka
2016	I’m	******	Khamtagaleev Alexej	4123549	Russia
2017	******	******	W. S. Vidura K. Koggala	9905979	Sri Lanka
2018	I’m	I’m	Rahul Sangma	5013615	India
2019	FM	I’m	L M S T De Silva	9953698	Sri Lanka
2020	NOT HELD
2021	NOT HELD
2022	FM	FM	Chinthaka Anuruddha Galappaththi	9900438	Sri Lanka
2023	******	******	Praneith Chandrasekara	9901888	Sri Lanka

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Women’s Section

Year	Current Title	Previous Title	Champion Name	FIDE ID	Country
2009	WFM	******	Dinushki Premanath	9903542	Sri Lanka
2010	WIM	WCM	Tejaswini Sagar	5054290	India
2011	******	******	U G S S S Udupitiya	9904921	Sri Lanka
2012	******	******	Samasha Sayanjalee Udapitiyage	9905189	Sri Lanka
2013	WFM	WFM	Manisha Suchini Gunaratne	9903933	Sri Lanka
2014	******	******	S C T Kumari	9917390	Sri Lanka
2015	******	******	T H D Niklesha Tharushi	9918264	Sri Lanka
2016	******	******	H M R K Herath	9942386	Sri Lanka
2017	******	******	Shalini Ranasinghe	9942398	Sri Lanka
2018	******	******	W Bethmee V Epa	9955453	Sri Lanka
2019	******	******	D W A G H Danawalavithana	9903860	Sri Lanka
2020	NOT HELD
2021	NOT HELD
2022	******	******	Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake	9991069	Sri Lanka
2023	******	******	R M Dulinma Hemalni Rathnayake	29953707	Sri Lanka

Each champion represents the commitment of the tournament to nurturing excellence and offering a platform for the cream of talents to emerge.

Sri Lanka’s Chess Pride Star The Ethugalpura Chess Tournament is more than just a chess event; it is an institution in Sri Lankan chess. The combination of history, competitive spirit, and world-class organization sets it apart as the undisputed best chess tournament in the country.

Year after year, it raises the bar for chess in Sri Lanka, inspiring players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a budding chess enthusiast or a seasoned grandmaster, Ethugalpura is where the best gather to make their mark.

As the 14th Edition unfolds, one thing is certain: the Ethugalpura International Rating Chess Championship reigns supreme as the pinnacle of chess excellence in Sri Lanka, offering a stage where every move counts and every player is celebrated.