Pesandu Rashmitha Liyanage and WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana emerged victorious in the open and women’s categories, respectively, at the Sri Lanka National Blitz Chess Championships 2024.
Open Championship
In the Open Championship, a highly competitive field of 383 players vied for the title. Pesandu Rashmitha Liyanage won the championship with an impressive score of 8.5/9 points, drawing only one game against A. A. Kavishka Gimshan Laksiri in the fourth round. Three players tied for the first runner-up position with 8/9 points each. FM Sajith Peiris secured the first runner-up position thanks to superior tie-breaks, while A. P. Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena took the second runner-up spot. Achinthya Shamen Kaluarachchi finished in fourth place.
Women’s Championship
In the Women’s Championship, 140 players competed fiercely for the top spots. WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana claimed the title with a flawless score of 8/8 points. Two players tied for the first runner-up position with 7/8 points. AFM R. M. Dulinma Hemalni Rathnayake won the first runner-up position based on tie-breaks, and WCM K. M. Dahamdi Sanudula secured the second runner-up position.
The Sri Lanka National Blitz Chess Championships 2024 highlighted the incredible talent and competitive spirit of the participants. Congratulations to Pesandu Rashmitha Liyanage, WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana, and all the other winners for their outstanding achievements. The event was a resounding success, further cementing Sri Lanka’s growing reputation in the world of chess.
