The Youth Development Center in Gampaha was the place to be for anyone who loves fast chess, as the 4th Queenstar International Rating Chess Championship 2026 delivered two days of breathless, FIDE-rated action across its Rapid and Blitz championships. Organized by the Queenstar International Chess Coaching Academy, the events drew a huge and genuinely international field — well over 540 players in the Rapid alone — featuring competitors from Sri Lanka, India, China and beyond, with everyone from tiny juniors to seasoned titled players sharing the same hall.
Both championships were run as nine-round Swiss-System tournaments. The Blitz was contested on August 21 at a lightning time control of three minutes plus a two-second increment, while the Rapid unfolded over August 22 and 23 at ten minutes plus a five-second increment. The event was directed by NI Lakmal Amarasekara, with IA Tharindu Weerasekara serving as Chief Arbiter, supported by Deputy Chief Arbiters IA H N Chathuranga Gunasena and IA D G D Chamil Thilakarathne and a large team of arbiters.
The Rapid championship produced the standout story of the weekend. Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala, who began the event rated below several of his rivals, put together a run for the ages — eight wins and a single draw, without ever losing, for a magnificent 8.5 points. Along the way he toppled a string of higher-rated opponents, and his refusal to blink under pressure carried him to gold ahead of a ferociously strong chasing pack. CM Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena took silver on eight points, with India’s Sailesh R claiming bronze on tiebreak — the latter continuing a remarkable festival season on the Sri Lankan circuit. India’s Grandmaster M. S. Thejkumar, the top seed, had to settle for a share of the leading scores, a reminder of just how competitive the field was. Sri Lanka’s Mithil Indrachapa Samarakoon and young Yenura Chanul Wijesooriya rounded out a superb top five, both also reaching eight points.
If the Rapid belonged to an underdog, the Blitz was a heavyweight showdown. Home favourite CM Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda was simply relentless, storming to 8.5 points and holding his nerve in a thrilling tiebreak battle with none other than Grandmaster M. S. Thejkumar of India, who matched him point for point on 8.5 but had to accept silver after their crucial encounter was drawn. Dimuth Indeepa Samaraweera took a fine bronze on eight points, with India’s Sailesh R once again in the medal mix in fourth. The blend of a visiting Grandmaster, strong Indian challengers and Sri Lanka’s finest gave the Blitz the feel of a true international showdown.
There was drama and delight all the way down the standings. Sri Lankan juniors tested themselves against titled and international opposition and more than held their own, with players like Thushanu Yasmith Ganepola, S D Nadev Insara and AIM S D Welikumbura all posting excellent results in the Blitz. The presence of players from India and China lifted the standard across both events and gave the local youngsters exactly the kind of exposure that helps a chess nation grow — a chance to sit across the board from a Grandmaster and learn what it takes to compete at the top.
Beyond the results, the atmosphere captured everything that makes chess special: a packed playing hall humming with concentration, the friendly rivalry between local and visiting players, and the unforgettable buzz of watching a young underdog take down the favourites. Set at the Youth Development Center in Gampaha, the 4th Queenstar International Rating Chess Championship was as much a festival of the game as a competition.
Warmest congratulations to every champion, every medallist, and all 500-plus players who battled through the clock over these two remarkable days. To the winners, your speed and steel shone through. To everyone who fought for every point, your effort made this championship what it was. A heartfelt thank you to the Queenstar International Chess Coaching Academy, the arbiters and officials, and the families and supporters who brought the event to life.
