Royal Chess Academy Finishes 6th at Intellect Academy Cup 2026 in Russia—Vinuka Wijeratne Wins Bronze on Board 1
The Royal Chess Academy returned from Novokuznetsk, Russia with their heads held high after a standout performance at the Intellect Academy Cup 2026. Competing in one of the most unique and challenging team chess formats on the international circuit, the Sri Lankan side finished 6th overall out of 42 teams representing more than 20 countries — a result that surpassed expectations and showcased the growing strength of Sri Lankan junior chess on the world stage.
The Tournament Format
The Intellect Academy Cup 2026 was contested over 9 rounds in a distinctive format unlike conventional team chess. Each team captain played simultaneously against all four members of the opposing team, with 8 points available from those simultaneous games. The remaining five team members then played each other for a further 5 points, bringing the total match score to 13 points per encounter. Each team was required to field players born in specific age groups and had to include at least one girl in the lineup. It was a format that tested not only individual chess ability but also tactical versatility, stamina, and team cohesion in equal measure.
Royal Chess Academy’s Campaign
Entering the tournament as the 10th-ranked team on the starting list, the Royal Chess Academy consistently performed above their seeding throughout the nine rounds. They recorded 6 wins and lost only to the teams that finished in the top three — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Belarus — the strongest sides in the entire competition. Their victories over Cuba, who were ranked 5th, and Bulgaria, ranked 8th, were among the highlights of their campaign and demonstrated that the Sri Lankan side could more than hold their own against established chess nations.
Their full match record read as follows: victories over Kemerovo Region Kuzbass (13–1), Kyrgyzstan (8–5), Cuba (7.5–5.5), Peru (10–3), Tajikistan (8.5–4.5), and Bulgaria (8–5), with defeats to Kazakhstan (2.5–10.5), Belarus (5.5–7.5), and Uzbekistan (3.5–9.5). Six wins from nine rounds against international opposition is a result any team would be proud of.
Individual Performances
The standout performer of the entire Sri Lankan campaign was team captain Vinuka Wijeratne, who delivered an extraordinary individual performance across all formats of the tournament. In the main Classical event, Vinuka scored 6.5 out of 9 on Board 1 to claim the Bronze medal — a remarkable achievement against some of the best junior talent from across Asia and Eastern Europe. In the simultaneous segments, he was even more dominant, scoring an outstanding 33 out of 36 to contribute massively to the team’s overall tally. His individual total of 39.5 out of 45 across all formats was the highest on the team by a considerable margin and one of the top individual scores in the entire competition.
Beyond the main event, Vinuka added two more medals to Sri Lanka’s haul. He claimed Gold in the Blitz Open tournament, dominating the field with the same sharp and aggressive style that defined his Classical performances. He then partnered with a Russian coach to win the Silver medal in the Bughouse event, capping off a truly exceptional week of chess that will be remembered as one of the finest individual performances by a Sri Lankan junior player at an international tournament.
The other members of the Royal Chess Academy team also contributed meaningfully to the campaign. Thehan Kodikara scored 9.5 out of 18, Jenul Wewakumbura contributed 8.5 out of 18, Uthesh Nethvidu added 5 out of 18, and Vinuli Perera of Ladies’ College scored 3 out of 18 — with her participation fulfilling the mandatory inclusion of a female player and representing an important step in her own international chess journey.
Final Standings
Uzbekistan claimed the Gold medal after finishing level on 85 points with Kazakhstan, with the tie broken in Uzbekistan’s favour. Kazakhstan took Silver, Belarus claimed Bronze, followed by the host team Intellect Academy from Novokuznetsk and the Mongolian team in fifth. The Royal Chess Academy’s sixth-place finish among such distinguished company was a genuine achievement and a proud moment for Sri Lankan chess.
A Proud Moment for Sri Lankan Chess
The Royal Chess Academy’s performance at the Intellect Academy Cup 2026 is a powerful testament to the progress being made in Sri Lankan chess at the junior level. Competing against teams from established chess nations across Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, the Sri Lankan side not only held their own but exceeded their seeding and earned the respect of the international chess community.
Congratulations to Vinuka Wijeratne, Thehan Kodikara, Jenul Wewakumbura, Vinuli Perera, and Uthesh Nethvidu — you represented Sri Lanka with distinction. We look forward to seeing this talented group continue to grow and compete on the world stage! ♟️🇱🇰
