Two Sri Lankan school teams compete with pride in Kazakhstan as Kavinu Sathnura Weerathunga claims Board 4 Gold and Maliyadeva College finish an impressive 7th
Tournament Overview
The FIDE ISCF World School Team Chess Championship 2026 — Asian Continental Stage was held in Kazakhstan from April 7 to 10, 2026, organized and uploaded by the Asian Chess Federation. The event brought together 26 teams representing 19 countries, making it one of the most competitive school chess tournaments on the Asian continent.
Participating nations included Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The tournament was played over 8 rounds in a team format, with each team fielding players across multiple boards.
Sri Lanka’s Representation
Sri Lanka was proudly represented by two teams at this prestigious championship:
SRI-Rahula College from Matara, Southern Province (Team Rating Average: 1688) and SRI-Maliyadeva College (Team Rating Average: 1602).
Together, these two teams carried the hopes of Sri Lankan school chess onto one of the biggest stages in the world, facing opponents from some of the most chess-developed nations in Asia.
Final Standings — Overall Top Teams
Uzbekistan’s Wisdom School dominated the competition from start to finish, claiming first place with 16 match points and 25.5 board points. Russia’s Kurchatov School finished second with 14 match points, and India’s Velammal MHS School took third. Kazakhstan’s Seed Uniker School placed fourth, and China’s Bashu Secondary School rounded out the top five.
Among all 26 teams, Sri Lanka’s Maliyadeva College finished 7th and Rahula College finished 11th — both outstanding results on the world stage.
SRI-Maliyadeva College — A Brilliant 7th Place Finish 🌟
Maliyadeva College was the higher-ranked of Sri Lanka’s two teams at this championship, and they delivered a performance to match, finishing 7th out of 26 teams with 10 match points — winning 4 matches, drawing 2, and losing 2 across 8 rounds. The team was captained by Danushi Dissanayake.
The Maliyadeva College Team:
A. M. C. N. Abeykoon (Board 1, Rating: 1560), R. M. Thenura Damsith Rathnayake (Board 2, Rating: 1534), H. M. Chamuditha Sasen Bandara Herath (Board 3, Rating: 1718), S. M. M. E. Samarakoon (Board 4, Rating: 1595), W. M. S. A. B. Doratiyawa (Board 5, Rating: 1450)
Captain: Danushi Dissanayake
Individual Highlights:
The standout performer for Maliyadeva College was Chamuditha Sasen Bandara Herath on Board 3, who delivered a superb tournament, scoring 6 out of 8 games with a strong performance rating of 1681 against an average opposition rating of 1682. He was easily one of the most consistent Sri Lankan performers in the entire event.
Thenura Damsith Rathnayake (Board 2) contributed 5 points from 5 games with a performance rating of 1753, while A. M. C. N. Abeykoon (Board 1) scored 1.5 out of 6 games facing an average opposition rating of 1874 — some of the toughest opponents in the field. S. M. M. E. Samarakoon (Board 4) added 1 point from 4 games, and W. M. S. A. B. Doratiyawa (Board 5) contributed 2.5 points from 5 games against an average rating of 1643.
Maliyadeva College’s 7th place finish is a tremendous achievement and a result that reflects the quality of preparation, team spirit, and competitive spirit they brought to Kazakhstan.
SRI-Rahula College — 11th Place and a Historic Gold Medal 🥇
Rahula College, representing the Southern Province from Matara, earned their place at this championship by winning the Under-17 National Schools Championship in 2025. They arrived in Kazakhstan as a determined side and left with one of the most celebrated individual achievements in Sri Lankan school chess history.
The Rahula College Team:
P. G. Imeth Hansira Palliyaguruge (Board 1, Rating: 1579), Sehath Abayasinghe (Board 2, Rating: 1788), M. D. Damsen Chandradithy Dayarathne (Board 3, Rating: 1660), Kavinu Sathnura Weerathunga (Board 4, Rating: 1725), K. K. Mayon Nimrad (Board 5, Rating: 1512)
Non-playing Captain: Tharaka Alahakoon | Chess-in-Charge: Pasan Rangajeewa
Rahula College finished 11th out of 26 teams with 8 match points — winning 4 matches and losing 4. Notably, the team faced the tournament’s 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th ranked teams across their rounds, making their four wins all the more commendable. They competed with tremendous courage and gave their best for Sri Lanka throughout.
Individual Highlights:
The undisputed star of Rahula College’s campaign was Kavinu Sathnura Weerathunga on Board 4. His performance across the 8 rounds was nothing short of extraordinary:
Score: 6.5 out of 8 | Performance Rating: 1947 | Rating Gain: +81.2 | Losses: 0 — Completely Undefeated
His round-by-round results read: Draw, Win, Win, Win, Draw, Win, Win, Draw — a display of consistency, maturity, and fighting spirit that left a mark on the entire tournament. For this outstanding performance, Kavinu was awarded the Board 4 Gold Medal, recognising him as the best-performing player on Board 4 across all 26 competing teams. It is a historic achievement for Rahula College and a proud moment for all of Sri Lanka.
Sehath Abayasinghe (Board 2) scored 4.5 out of 8 games, facing an average opposition rating of 1830 and delivering some key contributions for the team. M. D. Damsen Chandradithy Dayarathne (Board 3) scored 3.5 out of 7 games against an average opposition rating of 1890. P. G. Imeth Hansira Palliyaguruge (Board 1) faced one of the toughest draws in the team, competing against an average rating of 1907 and scoring 1.5 out of 7 games. K. K. Mayon Nimrad (Board 5) contributed 1 point from 2 appearances.
The Journey Behind Rahula College’s Qualification
Rahula College’s presence in Kazakhstan was earned through their victory at the Under-17 National Schools Championship 2025. The championship-winning squad that secured this place for Sri Lanka included: Homindu Dulaj Premathunga, Pamok Methdunu Samarabayaka, G. Haritha Hansana, Ramiru Sithika Gnanawardena, U. J. Nimuthu Nimthaka, Sandil Sandira Sooriyaarachchi, and Urapola Narasinghage Kulunu Kumuduna. Their win at nationals set the entire journey in motion.
Congratulations to All! 🎉
Heartiest congratulations to the entire Sri Lankan contingent for making the nation proud on the world stage. Both teams demonstrated outstanding dedication, fighting spirit, and sportsmanship throughout this prestigious championship. From the players who battled across every board, to the captains who led with wisdom, to the coaches and officials who prepared the teams, and to every parent and supporter who made these journeys possible — this achievement belongs to all of you.
Sri Lanka has spoken on the Asian chess stage. Well done, and here’s to even greater glory ahead!
