The Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championship 2025 showcased the exceptional talent of young female chess players across the Under 7, Under 9, and Under 11 categories, marking a historic beginning to chess events in 2026. Held from January 1 to 4, 2026, at Dharmapala Vidyalaya in Pannipitiya, this FIDE-rated international tournament brought together young talented participants who demonstrated that the future of girls’ chess in Sri Lanka is bright and promising.
Organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, with IA Erosh Jayasinghe as Tournament Director and IA Thiwanka Tissera as Chief Arbiter, the championship was conducted in Swiss format across all categories. Deputy Chief Arbiters IA Werochana Perera and IA Sanjeewa Anuradha, along with arbiters IA Tharindu Weerasekara, FA Dilan Udayashantha, and others ensured the smooth conduct of the event. The standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move 1 provided players with ample opportunity to demonstrate their strategic depth and tactical prowess in games of exceptional quality.
Under 7 Girls Category: Outstanding Performance from Young Champion
Akshara Shanojan, rated 1441, claimed the championship with an impressive score of 7.5 points from 8 rounds. Shanojan’s campaign was marked by consistent performance and strong tactical awareness, as she navigated through the field with confidence and composure. Her victory demonstrated not just chess skill but also the mental strength to handle the pressure of a four-day tournament at such a young age.
Himandi Sehansa De Silva Rajaratne secured the runner-up position with 7 points, showcasing excellent fighting spirit throughout the championship. Rajaratne’s games were characterized by creative play and determination, earning her several memorable victories against tough opponents.
Shaini Imaya Soyza claimed third place, also finishing with 7 points but settling for bronze based on tie-break calculations. The closely contested battle for the top positions reflected the competitive nature of the category, with Soyza’s aggressive approach and tactical sharpness winning her many admirers among spectators.
Under 9 Girls Category: Exceptional Championship Performance
Resadi Dinaya, rated 1499, dominated the tournament with an exceptional score of 8.5 points from 9 rounds. Dinaya’s campaign featured strong opening preparation, accurate calculation, and excellent endgame technique. Her performance, with only a single draw in the eighth round, marked her as one of the standout competitors of the entire championship across all categories.
Yurenie Angela Fernando secured the runner-up position with 8 points, demonstrating consistent play throughout the tournament. Rated 1401, Fernando’s tournament featured several hard-fought battles where her resilience and strategic understanding shone through, particularly in the later rounds where every half-point mattered.
Nethumi Dihansa Perera claimed third place with 8 points, showcasing her tactical abilities and strong competitive spirit. Despite being the highest-rated player in the category at 1614, Perera faced stiff competition but managed to secure a podium finish through solid play and determination.
The Under 9 category proved to be highly competitive throughout, with multiple players finishing with strong scores, contributing to memorable encounters that kept spectators engaged.
Under 11 Girls Category: Triple Tie at the Top
The Under 11 Girls category was the largest and most competitive section The championship witnessed an extraordinarily close finish, with three players finishing on 7 points from 8 rounds, making tie-breaks crucial in determining the final standings.
Risali Lohasna Jayaweera, rated 1616, emerged as the champion with 7 points, her victory determined by superior tie-break scores in what proved to be an exceptionally close battle for the title. Jayaweera’s tournament was characterized by excellent strategic play and strong positional understanding, with several games showcasing her ability to outplay opponents in complex middlegames.
Hesanya Thanthulage, the highest-rated player in the category at 1692, also finished with 7 points but had to settle for the runner-up position based on tie-breaks. Thanthulage’s performance demonstrated her class, with solid play throughout the championship and only a single loss marring an otherwise dominant campaign.
Chanumi Janulya, rated 1557, claimed third place with 7 points, demonstrating consistent performance throughout the championship. Janulya’s tactical alertness and fighting spirit were evident in every round, as she battled her way to a podium finish against tough competition.
The Under 11 category also featured strong performances from Vaneesha Oshini Gomes and ACM Dinulya Senaree, both of whom displayed the high level of competition in this age group. The fact that multiple players finished on the same score highlighted the depth of talent and the competitive balance in girls’ chess at this level.
The championship was conducted with impeccable standards, ensuring fair play and proper tournament management across all categories. The Swiss format system created balanced pairings that allowed players to face appropriate opposition as the tournament progressed, leading to exciting and educational games at every level.
As the first chess event in Sri Lanka for 2026 and a FIDE-rated international tournament, the National Youth Chess Championship 2025 set an inspiring tone for the year ahead. The performances across all three girls’ categories demonstrated not only the technical skills of the participants but also their dedication, sportsmanship, and passion for chess.
Congratulations to all participants and winners for their outstanding performances at the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championship 2025. The skill, determination, and grace displayed by these young champions throughout the four-day event have demonstrated that girls’ chess in Sri Lanka has a bright and promising future.
