Sri Lanka sent a talented contingent of young chess players to compete at the FIDE World Cadet U8, U10, U12 Championships 2025, with several players delivering impressive performances against the world’s best young talents.
The FIDE World Cadet U8, U10, U12 Championships 2025 took place from September 19 to September 30, 2025, at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Organized by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation in collaboration with the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the prestigious event attracted 842 young chess players from 88 countries competing across six age categories: Under-8, Under-10, and Under-12, with separate divisions for open and girls’ competitions.
The tournament director was GM Darmen Sadvakasov, with IA Ivan Syrovy serving as Chief Arbiter. Each category was contested in an eleven-round Swiss format with a classical time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.
🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Contingent Performance
Sri Lanka fielded a strong team of eight players across various age categories, with several players finishing in the top half of their respective fields and gaining valuable international experience.
Open Under-8 Category
In the Open Under-8 section, which featured 150 participants, ACM Chesandu Yuven Aththanayaka A M represented Sri Lanka admirably. Starting as the 45th seed, he displayed great fighting spirit throughout the tournament, finishing with 6 points from 11 rounds and securing 45th place. His performance included notable victories against higher-rated opponents and demonstrated his competitive nature on the world stage.
The Open Under-8 category was won by Adilbek Adinur (Kazakhstan) with 9.5 points, followed by Sidelnikov Fedoe Andr (FID) and Wang Yuxuan (China), both scoring 8.5 points.
Girls Under-8 Category
WCM Livini Inhara Chethakshi H R competed in the Girls Under-8 category against 94 talented players from around the globe. She achieved an impressive score of 7 points from 11 rounds, finishing in 13th position. Her strong performance included crucial victories in the middle rounds and showcased her tactical abilities against international competition.
The Girls Under-8 category was won by Bissaliyeva Alisha (Kazakhstan) with 9.5 points, followed by Zhu Jiahe (China) with 9 points and Tselmeg Bold-Erdene (Mongolia), scoring 8.5 points.
Open Under-10 Category
CM Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena A P delivered an outstanding performance in the Open Under-10 section, competing against 185 players. Entering as the 5th seed with a rating of 1983, he lived up to expectations by scoring an excellent 8.5 points from 11 rounds and securing 5th place overall. His impressive run included victories over several strong opponents and demonstrated his maturity and tactical prowess at the board.
The Open Under-10 category was won by Yuan Shunzhe (China) with 9 points, followed by CM Le Phan Hoang Quan (Vietnam) and AFM Mani Sarbartho (India), both scoring 8.5 points.
CM Vihanga Madhara Herath H M also represented Sri Lanka in this category. Competing against the world’s best Under-10 players, he finished with 5 points from 11 rounds in 112th position, showing determination throughout the tournament.
Girls Under-10 Category
In the Girls Under-10 category with 115 participants, Sayumi Sithumila Halangoda and WCM Rathnasekara Aryana Lisara both represented Sri Lanka with distinction.
Sayumi Sithumila Halangoda achieved a commendable result, scoring 6.5 points from 11 rounds and finishing in 28th place. Her performance included several hard-fought victories and demonstrated her fighting spirit against strong international opposition.
WCM Rathnasekara Aryana Lisara also performed well, scoring 6.5 points and securing 25th position. Her tournament featured impressive wins in critical rounds and showed her tactical abilities.
The Girls Under-10 title was claimed by WCM Sharvaanica A S (India), who dominated with 9 points from 11 rounds. WCM Nandinjiguur Chinzorig (Mongolia) finished second with 9 points, while Kiyanna Parihaar (India) took third place with 8.5 points.
Open Under-12 Category
CM Vinuka Dihain Wijerathna competed in the highly competitive Open Under-12 section against 175 players. With a rating of 2072, he entered as the 38th seed and finished with a solid 6.5 points from 11 rounds in 38th position. His performance included battles against some of the tournament’s highest-rated players and demonstrated his technical understanding of the game.
The Open Under-12 category witnessed fierce competition, with CM Danis Kuandykuly (Kazakhstan) emerging victorious with 9 points. CM Ali Poyraz Uzdemir (Turkey) finished second with 9 points, while CM Ethan Guo (USA) secured third place with 8.5 points.
Girls Under-12 Category
In the Girls Under-12 category featuring 123 players, Sri Lanka was represented by WCM Jayasinghe J M Senudhi Ahasya and WCM Divadalage Sanya.
WCM Jayasinghe J M Senudhi Ahasya finished with 6 points from 11 rounds in 44th position, showing consistent play throughout the tournament.
WCM Divadalage Sanya also scored 5.5 points and finished in 63rd place, gaining valuable experience competing against the world’s top young female players.
The Girls Under-12 championship was won by Lacey Wang (USA) with 8.5 points, followed by WFM Laurie Qiu (USA) with 8.5 points, and Milana Sokolova (FID) also with 8.5 points.
🌍 Tournament Highlights
The championship showcased exceptional talent from young players worldwide. Host nation Kazakhstan celebrated tremendous success, winning the overall team standings for the second consecutive year. They claimed three gold medals across the six categories, with Alisha Bissaliyeva (Girls U8), Adinur Adilbek (Open U8), and Danis Kuandykuly (Open U12) becoming world champions.
The tournament provided Sri Lankan players with invaluable experience competing at the highest level of youth chess. The exposure to different playing styles and the opportunity to face the world’s best young players will undoubtedly contribute to their chess development.
Several Sri Lankan players showed they can compete effectively on the world stage, with performances that demonstrated both technical skill and fighting spirit.
The strong showing by Sri Lanka’s young chess talents at this prestigious event reflects the growing strength of chess in the country and bodes well for the future of Sri Lankan chess. The experience gained from competing in such a high-level international tournament will serve as excellent preparation for future competitions and contribute to the continued development of these promising young players.
