Sri Lankan chess has another reason to celebrate after WFM M. Esandi Newansa of Dharmasoka College claimed the Gold Medal in the Girls Under-17 category at the 20th Asian Schools Blitz Chess Championships 2026, a superb result that puts Sri Lanka firmly on the Asian junior chess map.
The championship was held on October 10, 2026, in the town of Bunyrevo in Russia’s Tula Region, organized jointly by the Chess Federation of Russia and the Asian Chess Federation. The event brought together young blitz specialists from twelve nations across Asia, including Kazakhstan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Indonesia, all competing in the fast and furious world of blitz chess, where games are played at just 3 minutes per side with a 2-second increment per move. Esandi’s section alone saw nine rounds of Swiss-system blitz completed in a single day, a true test of speed, nerve and consistency.
Esandi’s run to gold was built on steady, high-level performances throughout the day. She finished the event on 7 points from 9 rounds, narrowly ahead of a closely bunched chasing pack. WFM Aiaru Altynbek of Kazakhstan and WCM Alisa Chernyshova of Russia both finished on 6.5 points to share silver and bronze on tiebreak, while Russia’s WFM Alisa Genrietta Yunker, the highest-rated player in the section, had to settle for fourth. That Esandi came out on top of such a stacked field, which included several titled players with ratings well above her own, speaks volumes about the composure and sharp calculation she brought to the board under the unforgiving time pressure of blitz chess.
Sri Lanka’s representation in the section went beyond Esandi alone. Gehansa Ranumi Dange also put in a solid showing, finishing in the top half of the field, while fellow Sri Lankan junior S Senuli Suhasna Arambegedara gained valuable international experience competing against some of Asia’s strongest young players. Together, the Sri Lankan contingent’s performance reflects the growing depth and ambition of the country’s junior chess program on the continental stage.
Much of the credit for Esandi’s achievement belongs not only to her own talent and hard work but also to the guidance of her trainer, FI Gihan Kanchana De Silva, whose coaching has clearly played a pivotal role in her development as a blitz specialist. Behind every champion is a dedicated team, and this gold medal is as much a testament to that partnership as it is to Esandi’s own skill at the board.
This result marks a significant moment for Sri Lankan chess on the Asian stage, showcasing the kind of talent coming through the ranks and the potential for even bigger achievements in the years ahead.
A heartfelt congratulations to WFM M. Esandi Newansa on this outstanding gold medal performance, and to her trainer FI Gihan Kanchana De Silva for his guidance and contribution to her success. Congratulations too to Gehansa Ranumi Dange and S Senuli Suhasna Arambegedara for representing Sri Lanka with pride. Here’s wishing the entire team many more achievements in the future.
