The National Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2026 brought the country’s finest junior players together for a spectacular festival of chess at Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, on 1 and 2 August 2026. Organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka and rated internationally by FIDE, the championship spanned ten age-group sections from Under-08 to Under-18, in both Open and Girls categories. Most sections were played as nine-round Swiss-System events at a rapid time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move, while the Under-18 Girls was contested as a seven-round round-robin over a single day.
The event was directed by Tournament Director FT FM R.S. Kalugampitiya, with the arbiting duties split across the sections: IA Thiwanka Tissera served as Chief Arbiter for the Open groups and IA Naditha Amarakoon for the Girls groups. IA Tharindu Weerasekara and IA Washini Chamithri Surasinghe worked throughout as Deputy Chief Arbiters, supported by Pairing Arbiter NA A.P. Sasindu Sahasra, whose team kept a huge, multi-section schedule running smoothly across the weekend.
The youngest players set the tone. In the Under-08 Girls, top seed Yenuli Ihansa reeled off eight straight wins, including a decisive round seven victory over her nearest rival, before a calm final-round draw sealed the title on 8.5 out of 9. AFM Himandi Sehansa De Silva Rajaratne took silver on 8 points, and Suheli Methumsa Fernando bronze on 7. In the Under-08 Open, Yenura Chanul Wijesooriya was equally imperious, toppling one of the strongest players in the draw in round five on his way to 8.5 points. ACM Yasiru Mallawa edged AFM Dihela Thevin Wijesinghe on tiebreak for silver, both finishing on 7.5.
The Under-12 sections delivered drama of a different kind. In the girls’ event, ACM Ananya Hewanayake and WCM Sayumi Sithumila Halangoda finished locked together on 7.5 points, their final-round meeting ending in a hard-fought draw; Ananya took gold on tiebreak, with top seed Vaneesha Oshini Gomes claiming bronze on 7. The Under-12 Open produced perhaps the upset of the championship, as Lohas Dewmina Rodrigo defeated top-rated CM Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena in round six. Both men finished on 8 points, but Rodrigo’s superior tiebreak handed him the crown ahead of a gallant Karunasena, with Sethika Dinsitha Masakorala third on 7.5.
At Under-14, resilience ruled. Senudhi Ahasya Jayasinghe went unbeaten across all nine rounds to win the Girls title on 8 points, while the section’s best comeback belonged to runner-up Hasansee P.Y.S., who lost her opening game and then stormed back with a run of wins to reach 7.5 and silver; AIM Linuki Thisenka took bronze on 7. The Under-14 Open, by contrast, ended in a nerve-shredding three-way tie on 7.5 between Amila Nimsara Ethkandura, Akaine Jayasekera and Mithil Indrachapa Samarakoon, with early front-runner Ethkandura holding on to gold by the finest of tiebreak margins.
The Under-16 age group showcased the growing maturity of the country’s teenage talent. In the Girls section, Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva and Chenaya Ekaratne matched each other stride for stride, drawing their head-to-head clash and both finishing on 8 points; De Silva claimed the title on tiebreak, with Thinuli Disansa Wijesinghe taking bronze on 7. The Under-16 Open belonged emphatically to Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala, who conceded just a single draw all weekend to storm to 8.5 points. The feel-good story was silver medallist ACM Mesandu Nithwara Gunathilaka, who played far above his seeding to finish second on 7, ahead of Kisandu Randira Perera on 6.5.
The senior sections rounded off the championship in style. In the Under-18 Open, Minura Sathsindu navigated all nine rounds without defeat, capping his tournament with a final round win to take gold on 8 points; Jeewantha Aloka Hettiarachchi (7) and Jayod Yasindu Rashmika Perera (6.5) completed the podium. And in the Under-18 Girls round-robin, Gehansa Ranumi Dange produced the ultimate statement, defeating every opponent she faced for a flawless run and 6 points. H.M.D.L. Herath took silver on 5 and Adeesha Indusarani bronze on 4.
Across every board and every age group, the atmosphere was joyous and fiercely competitive in equal measure. Parents, coaches and clubmates followed the shifting standings with bated breath, and the players themselves, some barely old enough to see over the table, carried themselves like seasoned campaigners. Events like this are the beating heart of Sri Lankan chess, the stage where the champions of tomorrow take their first bows.
Warmest congratulations to all ten champions, to every medallist, and to each and every young player who competed with such courage and sportsmanship. You made this championship unforgettable, and the future of Sri Lankan chess has rarely looked brighter.
