Kashyapa Kulasekara D M T emerged victorious at the 15th Ethugalpura International Chess Championship 2025 Rapid Event, delivering a masterful performance that secured the championship title with an impressive 7.5 points out of 8 rounds. The tournament was held on December 18, 2025, at Hotel Blue Sky in Kurunegala, organized by the Knights Flame Chess Club.
The Rapid Event was conducted as an 8-round Swiss system tournament with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move starting from move one. The championship was directed by FA Sampath Jayawardana B R S as Tournament Director and IA Chathuranga Gunasena H N as Chief Arbiter, with FA N Chandrarathne W S serving as Pairing Arbiter.
In a fiercely competitive field, Kashyapa Kulasekara dominated from the opening round, scoring an exceptional 7.5 points. His campaign was nothing short of spectacular, featuring seven consecutive victories before agreeing to a strategic draw in the eighth and final round. Kulasekara’s performance showcased remarkable tactical vision and excellent time management under the rapid time control, defeating several strong opponents including highly rated players in the middle rounds.
The battle for the championship was intense throughout the day. D M Dabarera G W finished as the first runner-up, matching the champion’s score of 7.5 points but settling for second place based on tiebreak calculations. Dabarera displayed exceptional fighting spirit, bouncing back from a half-point draw in round two to string together six consecutive wins, including a crucial victory in the final round that secured his silver medal position. His tactical alertness and precise endgame technique were particularly impressive in the rapid format.
Dhanushka Bandara claimed the third position with 7 points out of 8. Bandara’s tournament was marked by brilliant opening preparation and aggressive middlegame play. He scored an incredible six straight victories in rounds one through six, defeating top opposition including winning against strong rated players. Though he stumbled with a loss to the eventual champion in round seven, Bandara demonstrated great resilience by bouncing back with a decisive victory in the eighth round to secure the bronze medal.
A H M B Senarathne took fourth place with 7 points in what proved to be one of the most impressive performances of the day. Senarathne’s campaign included spectacular wins against highly rated opponents in the middle rounds, and his only half-point came in a hard-fought battle in the final round against the champion. His combination of solid positional play and sharp tactics made him a formidable opponent throughout the tournament.
AGM Bharathy Mani from India rounded out the top five with 7 points, adding an international dimension to the competition. Mani’s tournament featured excellent strategic understanding and precise calculation in critical positions. His performance included important victories over strong opposition, and he only conceded half-points in rounds four and seven before finishing strongly with a win in round eight.
The tournament also witnessed outstanding performances from several titled players. CM Dandeniya D D L N scored 7 points with brilliant tactical play, including a crucial victory in round six and impressive wins in the later rounds. IM Thilakarathne G M H, the highest-rated player in the field, finished with 6.5 points, demonstrating masterful technique despite the challenging rapid time control. WFM Dahamdi Sanudula K M and IM N S Ilangasinghe both scored impressive 6.5 points, showcasing their class in the rapid format.
The young generation made its presence felt with strong showings from several junior players. AFM Gesandu Kithnula W A scored 6.5 points with attacking chess, while AIM Nethsara Dias A A T and AFM Sisira Kumara K P both demonstrated excellent understanding of rapid chess principles. The depth of young talent on display promises a bright future for Sri Lankan chess.
Several exciting battles lit up the tournament hall throughout the day. The clash between the top boards in the final rounds produced thrilling encounters, with players sacrificing material for attacking chances and defending desperately in time pressure. The rapid time control added extra drama, with several games being decided in the final seconds as players’ clocks ticked down.
One particularly memorable game saw Kashyapa Kulasekara demonstrate his championship credentials with a brilliant tactical blow in the middle rounds, sacrificing material to expose his opponent’s king and delivering a stunning checkmate with just seconds remaining on his clock. Such moments of brilliance were scattered throughout the tournament, delighting the spectators and showcasing the beauty of rapid chess.
The women’s section also produced excellent performances, with WFM Dahamdi Sanudula K M crowned as the Women’s Champion of the rapid event. Both Dahamdi and WCM Sethumlee Palliyage Devhara were scoring impressively that showing women’s tactical sharpness and fighting spirit in the event
The single-day rapid event was expertly organized, with the tournament running smoothly from morning to evening. The pairing system worked flawlessly under the guidance of FA N Chandrarathne W S, ensuring fair matchups throughout the eight rounds. The venue at Hotel Blue Sky provided an excellent setting for the competition, with comfortable playing conditions that allowed the players to focus entirely on their games.
The tournament attracted a diverse field of players, from titled masters to aspiring juniors, all competing in the spirit of chess excellence. The rapid format proved particularly popular, offering an exciting blend of deep calculation and time pressure that tested both the tactical and psychological skills of the competitors.
Congratulations to all the participants and winners for their outstanding performances at the 15th Ethugalpura International Chess Championship 2025 Rapid Event. Special recognition goes to champion Kashyapa Kulasekara D M T for his dominant display, and to all the prize winners who demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. The tournament once again proved that Sri Lankan rapid chess is flourishing, with players showing remarkable tactical sharpness, fighting spirit, and sportsmanship. The Knights Flame Chess Club deserves appreciation for organizing this excellent event, and the arbiters for ensuring fair play throughout. We look forward to seeing these talented players continue their chess journey and represent Sri Lankan chess with pride in future tournaments!
