The halls of Lexicon International School in Kurunegala came alive on August 16, 2026, as the Mind Plus Youth Chess Championship 2026 brought together the island’s brightest young talents for a single, action-packed day of competition. Organized by the Mind Plus Chess Club under the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, the event was spread across nine sections—Under-7, Under-8, Under-10, and Under-12 in both girls’ and open categories, plus a keenly contested open event.
Every section was played as a five-round Swiss-System tournament. The age group sections used a standard time control of 45 minutes per player, while the Open Event ran on a quicker 30 minutes plus a 10-second increment from move one. The tournament was directed by NA KCN Perera, with NA RRCL Jayathilaka serving as chief arbiter and keeping the many boards running smoothly throughout the day.
What made this championship so special was the sheer number of clean sweeps. Six young champions marched through all five rounds without dropping a single point. In the Under-7 Open, Vinon Chenush was untouchable, saving his best for last with a final-round win to finish on a perfect 5/5. Yasasmi Dewliya (Under-8 Girls) and Vidhasvin Fernando (Under-8 Open) did exactly the same, each surviving tense finishes to keep their perfect records intact.
The Under-7 Girls section produced the day’s cruelest drama. Both Omindi Senara Amarasena and H.M.S.Y. Herath stormed to 5/5, never once tasting defeat, yet the two title contenders never met over the board. With the points identical, the gold came down to tiebreaks, and it was Amarasena who edged ahead by the narrowest of margins, leaving Herath with a heartbreaking silver despite a flawless run. Sandasi Inaya Nayanajith completed the podium.
In the Under-12 sections, two more players refused to slip. Pahanya Senavirathna dominated the Under-12 Girls with a commanding 5/5, while Menuka Rusith Ranathunga was equally ruthless in the Under-12 Open, brushing aside every challenger, including higher-rated opposition, to finish a full point clear of the field. Behind him, S M Shayaan and Kemindu Sendinu Pathirana battled to 4 points apiece.
The Open Event delivered a nail-biting finish worthy of its billing. Mihin Minthula Wijayarathne and Vihanga Madhara Herath arrived at the final round neck and neck, and their head-to-head clash ended in a hard-fought draw. Both finished on 4.5, but it was Wijayarathne who claimed the title on a tiebreak, with Yenuka Kithsara Dasanayaka taking third. A similar story unfolded in the Under-10 Open, where Sahen Ranathunge and A.M.Y.S. Abesinghe drew their own encounter and finished level on 4.5, the crown again decided by the finest of margins in Ranathunge’s favour.
The Under-10 Girls saw a tighter, more open fight, with B. M. M. Balasooriya holding her nerve to take gold on 4 points ahead of Januli Chathnara and Nikini Vathnara Arambepitiya. Across every section, the standard of play, focus, and sportsmanship from these young competitors was a joy to witness.
Beyond the results, the atmosphere was everything a youth event should be — proud parents lining the walls, coaches whispering last-minute encouragement, and children discovering the thrill of a well-played game. Events like this are the beating heart of Sri Lankan chess, nurturing the champions of tomorrow one move at a time.
Warmest congratulations to every champion, every medallist, and every single player who sat down to compete. To the winners, your dedication has paid off in style. To those who fell short this time, your day will come — keep pushing, keep learning, and keep loving the game. A special thank you to the Mind Plus Chess Club, the arbiters and officials, and the families whose support made it all possible.
