The National Youth Chess Championships 2025 witnessed exceptional performances from Sri Lanka’s most promising young female chess players. Held from January 10 to 13, 2026, at Hindu College and Kandawala Vidyalaya in Ratmalana, the girls categories demonstrated the remarkable growth and competitive depth of female chess talent in the country.
Organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka under the expert direction of IA Erosh Jayasinghe as Tournament Director, the championship provided a premier competitive platform for young female players across three age categories. The tournament utilized a Swiss system format with standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one, ensuring quality games and proper thinking time for all participants.
Under 13 Girls: Patabendi Leads Closely Contested Battle
AFM Vinudi Dahamsa Madduma Patabendi emerged as champion in the Under 13 Girls category with an outstanding 6.5 points from eight rounds. The Arena FIDE Master demonstrated the skills and maturity that earned her the AFM title, displaying exceptional positional understanding and sharp tactical awareness throughout the championship.
Patabendi’s path to victory was marked by consistent performance across all rounds. She secured crucial victories in the opening phase and maintained her momentum through the middle rounds. Her games featured sophisticated planning and precise execution, particularly in complex middlegame positions where she demonstrated excellent judgment. The champion’s endgame technique proved decisive in several tight encounters, where she converted slight advantages into full points with impressive accuracy.
Senudhi Ahasya Jayasinghe matched Patabendi’s score of 6.5 points but had to settle for second place based on tiebreak calculations. Jayasinghe’s tournament was equally impressive, showcasing her fighting spirit and resilience. She displayed excellent tactical vision in several key games, finding creative solutions to difficult positions. Her performance included important victories against higher-rated opponents that demonstrated her growing strength and competitive spirit.
In a remarkable finish that highlighted the competitive balance in the category, Sasmi Sithumsa also scored 6.5 points to claim third place on tiebreaks. Sithumsa’s consistent play throughout the event featured solid opening preparation and good strategic understanding. Her ability to navigate complicated positions and maintain focus during long games proved crucial to her success.
The battle for the top positions remained intense throughout the tournament. Lithuli Chanara Ravisinghe scored 6.5 points to finish fourth, demonstrating excellent fighting qualities and tactical alertness. ACM Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya also finished with 6.5 points in fifth place, showcasing the skills expected of an Arena Candidate Master. The fact that the top five finishers were separated only by tiebreaks, all scoring 6.5 points, underscored the exceptionally high standard of play.
Sawindya Udani, Sanuli Dulanya Ranasinghe, P Y S Hasansee, and WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage all delivered strong performances with 6.5 points each. The presence of a Woman Candidate Master in the field added prestige to the competition and provided valuable experience for all participants. Sanindee Niwetha Kularathna rounded out the top ten with a solid performance.
The Under 13 Girls category attracted significant participation and was held at Hindu College in Ratmalana. IA Naditha Amarakoon served as Chief Arbiter, with IA W S Gunasinghe as Deputy Chief Arbiter, ensuring professional standards throughout the eight-round tournament.
Under 15 Girls: Perera’s Commanding Performance
Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera captured the Under 15 Girls championship with an impressive 7 points from eight rounds. Perera’s tournament was characterized by solid opening preparation and excellent calculation skills, particularly in tactical positions. Her games featured a perfect blend of strategic planning and concrete calculation, demonstrating a mature approach to tournament chess.
The champion’s path to victory included several memorable encounters where she outplayed strong opponents through superior understanding of key positions. Perera showcased particular strength in converting favorable middlegame positions into winning endgames, rarely allowing her opponents any counterplay. Her disciplined approach and consistent focus throughout the four-day event proved crucial to her success.
D D D Munasinghe finished as first runner-up with 6.5 points from eight rounds. Munasinghe’s performance was marked by consistent play and excellent fighting spirit. She demonstrated strong tactical awareness and the ability to create winning chances from balanced positions. Her tournament included several important victories that showcased her improving strength and determination.
Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva secured third place with 6 points. De Silva displayed excellent positional understanding and tactical alertness throughout the championship. Her games featured sophisticated maneuvering and patient buildup of advantages, demonstrating a strategic maturity beyond her years. She proved particularly strong in positions requiring accurate calculation and precise technique.
The competition for the remaining top positions was equally intense. Jenuki Alwis finished fourth with 6 points, showcasing solid all-around play and good tournament fighting spirit. Senaree M I Gamaarachchi completed the top five with 6 points, demonstrating consistent performance throughout the event.
AFM B A M Arachchi scored 6 points in a notable performance that highlighted her Arena FIDE Master strength. Senethma Dewmi Randeniya and Imethra Mendis both delivered solid tournaments, while Onara Sandithi Sahansa also contributed to the competitive atmosphere. The presence of titled players and strong competitors throughout the field created an excellent learning environment.
The Under 15 Girls category was held at Kandawala Vidyalaya in Ratmalana, with IA Dayal Siriwardena serving as Chief Arbiter and IA Sanjula Ravinath as Deputy Chief Arbiter. FA D G D Chamil Thilakarathne handled the pairings responsibilities, ensuring smooth tournament operations throughout the eight rounds.
Under 17 Girls: Gunasekara’s Flawless Victory
Hesara Gunasekara produced the most dominant performance of the entire championship, winning the Under 17 Girls category with a perfect 6 points from seven rounds. Gunasekara’s flawless campaign was characterized by deep opening preparation, precise tactical calculation, and excellent strategic understanding. Her tournament victory without a single loss or draw demonstrated the completeness of her chess skills.
The champion’s games featured sophisticated opening choices and strong middlegame play. Gunasekara consistently outprepared her opponents in the opening phase and converted these advantages into dominant positions. Her tactical vision was particularly impressive, as she found winning combinations in several critical positions. The ability to maintain concentration and accuracy throughout seven consecutive victories showcased her mental strength and tournament experience.
Sandithi Kusalya Alwis finished as first runner-up with 5.5 points from seven rounds. Alwis demonstrated excellent fighting qualities and resourcefulness throughout the championship. Her performance included several hard-fought victories and a crucial draw that secured her podium finish. Alwis showed particular strength in complex positions where accurate calculation and tactical alertness were essential.
AFM Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake secured third place with 5 points from seven rounds. The Arena FIDE Master demonstrated the tactical skills and positional understanding expected of her title. Ramanayake’s tournament featured solid preparation and consistent play, with several impressive victories showcasing her chess knowledge. Her endgame technique proved particularly strong in converting winning positions.
Oneli Vithanawasam claimed fourth place with 4 points, displaying solid chess understanding and good tournament management. D L Herath completed the top five, demonstrating competitive spirit and determination throughout the seven rounds.
The Under 17 Girls category, though featuring fewer participants than the younger age groups, maintained a high competitive standard.
The Under 17 Girls championship was held at Hindu College in Ratmalana, with IA Naditha Amarakoon serving as Chief Arbiter. The seven-round Swiss format proved ideal for the field size, producing clear winners while providing all participants with valuable competitive experience.
The National Youth Chess Championships 2025 Girls categories demonstrated the remarkable progress of female chess in Sri Lanka.
The tournament provided valuable rating opportunities for participants, allowing them to improve their national and international ratings. Many of these young players are already participating in international competitions, and the experience gained at the National Youth Chess Championships serves as important preparation for these events.
Impact on Future Development
The success of the girls categories at the National Youth Chess Championships 2025 reflects the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka’s commitment to developing female chess talent. By providing high-quality competitive opportunities, proper tournament organization, and professional arbitration, the federation creates the conditions necessary for young female players to develop their skills and pursue chess excellence.
Congratulations to all the participants and winners of the National Youth Chess Championships 2025 Girls categories. The exceptional performances, fighting spirit, and sportsmanship displayed throughout the tournament demonstrate the remarkable strength and growth of female chess talent in Sri Lanka.
