Sandithi Kusalya Alwis emerged victorious in the Women’s Category of the National Amateur International Rated Chess Championship 2025, securing the title with an exceptional performance that showcased her tactical prowess and consistent play. The championship was held from October 3 to 7, 2025, at the Sarvodaya Vishwa Samadhi Hall in Moratuwa.
The tournament was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, under the direction of IA G. Luxman Wijesuriya as Tournament Director and IA H N Chathuranga Gunasena as Chief Arbiter. The championship was conducted as a 9-round Swiss format with a standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move 1.
In a competitive field of 126 players, Sandithi Kusalya Alwis dominated the tournament, scoring an impressive 8 points out of 9 rounds. Starting with a perfect streak, Alwis maintained her momentum throughout the tournament with key victories against lower-rated opponents and crucial draws against top contenders in rounds 6 and 9. Her strategic approach and ability to maintain composure in critical positions proved decisive in securing the championship.
The battle for second place was intensely fought, with WCM Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva finishing as the first runner-up with 7.5 points. De Silva’s tournament was marked by aggressive play and determination, including victories over highly-rated players in the early rounds. Despite a setback in round 7, she bounced back strongly with consecutive wins in rounds 8 and 9, demonstrating remarkable resilience and fighting spirit. Her final round victory against top-seeded opposition secured her the silver medal.
Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera claimed the third position with 7 points out of 9, narrowly edging out fourth-place finisher Senaree M I Gamaarachchi on tie-break scores. Perera’s campaign featured a series of strategic draws against the tournament’s top players in rounds 5, 6, 8, and 9, while maintaining a strong winning record against mid-tier opposition. Her solid defensive play and tactical awareness kept her in contention for the podium throughout the event.
Senaree M I Gamaarachchi also finished with 7 points, taking fourth place based on tie-break calculations. Gamaarachchi’s performance included impressive victories against strong opponents, showcasing excellent endgame technique and positional understanding. Her consistent play throughout the tournament demonstrated the depth of her preparation and competitive spirit.
WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage secured fifth place with 6.5 points, featuring notable wins in the middle rounds and a hard-fought draw in the final round. T I Namarathna H K and Hesanya Thanthulage also scored 6.5 points each, finishing in sixth and seventh positions respectively, both demonstrating strong tactical skills and fighting chess throughout their campaigns.
The tournament witnessed several exciting encounters in the later rounds, with players battling intensely for every half-point. Risali Lohasna Jayaweera finished in eighth place with 6.5 points, while Y S Hasansee P and M A D D D Munasinghe rounded out the top ten, both scoring 6.5 points as well. The tie-break system played a crucial role in determining final positions, highlighting the competitive nature of the event.
Congratulations to all participants and winners for their outstanding performances at the National Amateur International Rated Chess Championship 2025 – Women’s Category. The event once again demonstrated the growing strength and competitive depth of women’s chess in Sri Lanka, with promising young players stepping up to challenge established players and deliver entertaining, high-quality chess throughout the championship.
