The National Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 — Ratnapura District delivered a spectacular celebration of junior chess at Ananda Vidyalaya, Hidellana, Ratnapura on March 21, 2026. Organized by Black Knights CC in collaboration with Castle CC on behalf of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, and directed by IA H N Chathuranga Gunasena alongside Dammitha Kesari Senavirathna, with IA H N Chathuranga Gunasena serving as Chief Arbiter, the event brought together young chess players from across the Ratnapura District for a full day of rapid and blitz competition across eight age-group categories. The Rapid sections were played over 5 rounds under the Swiss System with a time control of 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment per move, while the Blitz sections were played at 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move.
RAPID SECTION RESULTS
Under-8 Girls — Rapid
M A Nethuli Yasasthri Mahimgoda claimed the Under-8 Girls Rapid title with 4 points from 5 rounds, finishing as a deserving champion in the youngest girls’ rapid category. A D Kehansa finished as runner-up also with 4 points on tie-break, while K A S V Dinsari took third place also on 4 points — three players separated only by tie-break in one of the most closely contested categories of the entire event.
Under-8 Open — Rapid
ACM M M Samika Sehas Themiya delivered a dominant performance to claim the Under-8 Open Rapid title with a perfect 5 points from 5 rounds — the standout result of the younger age groups in the Rapid section. Raneth Vishvadinu Wijerathne finished as runner-up with 4 points, while Bhashith Chamoda Keeragala took third place with 3.5 points in a competitive Under-8 Open field.
Under-10 Girls — Rapid
S H Jesandi Thiyunima Samaranayaka claimed the Under-10 Girls Rapid title with 4.5 points from 5 rounds — a superb and consistent campaign throughout the event. K G Tilanya Dewmini Dharmawardhana finished as runner-up with 4 points, while Sethuni Senara Senevirathna took third place also with 4 points on tie-break in a closely fought Under-10 Girls Rapid section.
Under-10 Open — Rapid
S K Vihen Damyuth claimed the Under-10 Open Rapid title with 4 points from 5 rounds, finishing as a deserving champion in what was a competitive open category. O K Menuja Himsara Lakamal finished as runner-up with 3.5 points, while G Sandes Sahansa Silva took third place also with 3.5 points on tie-break.
Under-12 Girls — Rapid
V P Geekiyanage claimed the Under-12 Girls Rapid title with 4.5 points from 5 rounds — a composed and consistent performance that made her a worthy champion. Dulmi Dahamsa Weerasekara finished as runner-up with 4 points, while Dulya Sandaruvi Vidanagamachchi took third place with 3.5 points in a well-contested Under-12 Girls Rapid section.
Under-12 Open — Rapid
Sadeesha Manusara Wijesinghe claimed the Under-12 Open Rapid title with 4.5 points from 5 rounds, finishing ahead of B A Daham Sathmina who took second place with 4 points. Sasitha Pamodana Kandegedara finished third also with 4 points on tie-break in a competitive Under-12 Open Rapid category.
Under-14 Girls — Rapid
The Under-14 Girls Rapid section was played as a round robin over 3 rounds, with Hirundee Dinhara Mapitiya claiming the title with 2 points. U P S Anjani Nethsarani finished as runner-up with 1 point, while S A D Sudamsa Hirundi Suraweera completed the podium in third place.
Under-14 Open — Rapid
The Under-14 Open Rapid section was also played as a round robin over 3 rounds, with Dinula Ranmika Mirissa Hewa claiming the title with 2 points. W A Kalana Insitha Weragama finished as runner-up with 1 point, while E A Soniru Abeeth Marapana completed the podium in third place.
BLITZ SECTION RESULTS
Under-8 Girls — Blitz
K A S V Dinsari claimed the Under-8 Girls Blitz title with an impressive 4.5 points from 5 rounds in the round robin format — the standout performer of the youngest girls’ blitz category. T Senuli Seymindee Jayathissa finished as runner-up with 3.5 points, while A D Kehansa took third place with 3 points.
Under-8 Open — Blitz
A G Kenuja Damdisa Araboda claimed the Under-8 Open Blitz title with 4 points from 5 rounds, finishing ahead of G D Thisun Uthkashi Mandinu who took second place also on 4 points on tie-break. ACM M M Samika Sehas Themiya finished third also with 4 points — three players separated only by tie-break in a thrilling Under-8 Open Blitz finish.
Under-10 Girls — Blitz
Sethuni Senara Senevirathna claimed the Under-10 Girls Blitz title with 4.5 points from 5 rounds — having also finished third in the Rapid section, she came back strongly in the Blitz to claim the top prize. H M Yethumi Nelinsa Gunawardhana finished as runner-up with 4 points, while S H Jesandi Thiyunima Samaranayaka — the Rapid champion — took third place with 3.5 points.
Under-10 Open — Blitz
S K Vihen Damyuth completed a superb double on the day, claiming the Under-10 Open Blitz title with a perfect 5 points from 5 rounds to add to his Rapid title — an outstanding performance across both formats. Vemitha Ramed Vedage finished as runner-up with 4 points, while A M Dewan Dulsitha Weerawansha took third place with 3 points.
Under-12 Girls — Blitz
Dulmi Dahamsa Weerasekara reversed the Rapid result to claim the Under-12 Girls Blitz title with 4.5 points — adding a Blitz gold to her Rapid silver in an impressive double performance on the day. V P Geekiyanage — the Rapid champion — finished as runner-up with 4 points, while S A Kashini Yahansa Samarasingha took third place with 3.5 points.
Under-12 Open — Blitz
B A Daham Sathmina claimed the Under-12 Open Blitz title with 4.5 points from 5 rounds — reversing the Rapid result to claim Blitz gold after finishing second in the Rapid section. Sadeesha Manusara Wijesinghe — the Rapid champion — finished as runner-up with 4 points, while B A N K Wijesinghe took third place with 3.5 points.
Under-14 Open — Blitz
The Under-14 Open Blitz section was played as a round robin over 3 rounds, with Hirun Sasvidu Weerasinghe claiming the title with 2 points. Dinula Ranmika Mirissa Hewa finished as runner-up with 0.5 points, while W A Kalana Insitha Weragama also finished with 0.5 points for third place on tie-break.
The Black Knights CC and Castle CC deserve great credit for delivering a superbly organised and action-packed National Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships at Ananda Vidyalaya, Hidellana. Chief Arbiter IA H N Chathuranga Gunasena ensured that all categories across both the Rapid and Blitz formats were conducted smoothly and efficiently throughout the day.
Congratulations to every champion and participant who competed in the National Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 — Ratnapura District. Events like this are the heartbeat of grassroots chess development in Sri Lanka, nurturing the next generation of champions from their youngest years. Keep playing, keep improving, and keep dreaming big! ♟️
