14/12/2024
Galle District Chess Championship 2024: Showcasing Emerging Talent
The Galle District Chess Championship 2024 concluded with resounding success, marking a significant milestone in the region’s chess calendar. The final stage of the event was held on 11th and 12th December 2024 at Danuddara Reception Hall. This was the third and final stage of a championship that began with four zonal events in Galle, Ambalangoda, Elpitiya, and Udugama. The tournament, organised by the Galle District Chess Association, offered young chess enthusiasts a platform to hone their skills and gain competitive experience.
The tournament was conducted in several stages, starting with zonal events. Players were selected for the second stage based on their points in the zonal rounds, FIDE Elo ratings, and participation in the National B Chess Championship. The final stage included the top eight players from each category, competing in a seven-round round-robin format with a time control of 45 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move.
The championship was divided into categories: Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Over 15, with separate events for open and girls. Entry was free, and participants were provided with meals and snacks, reflecting the organizers’ dedication to supporting young players.
Detailed Results by Category
Under 7 Open
1. Champion: D.W. Cheatha Dulsandu De Silva – Dharmasoka College
2. First Runner-Up: H.M. Randima Prabhashwara – Dharmasoka College
3. Second Runner-Up: R.M. Livinu Thewmin – Dharmasoka College
4. K.W. Vinuth Vindiya Bandara – Mahinda College
5. Savithu Sandinu Weerasuriya – St. Aloysius College – Galle
6. Tharuk Sanketh Porawagamage – Dharmasoka College
7. Ranasinghe Sasiru Lonindu – Dharmasoka College
8. G. Tesanda Laknidu De Silva – Revatha National College – Balapitiya
Under 7 Girls
1. Champion: Anuthya Pahandi Singha – Christ Church Girls' College – Baddegama
2. First Runner-Up: R. Lahini Sadesna – Dharmasoka College
3. Second Runner-Up: A.Y. Jenuli Thinara Sehasmi Rathnayaka – Prajapathi Gothami Balika Maha Vidyalaya
4. Mohamed Sarkhan Fathima Aakifa – Mount Calvary High School – Galle
5. K. Pudamsa Nethashi – Mount Calvary High School – Galle
6. G.G. Irushi Vibodha – Nalagasdeniya Jayanthi Model School
7. H.A. Aysha Hana – Southlands College – Galle
8. I.D. Sayara Ridmini – Karandeniya Primary College
Under 9 Open
1. Champion: M.H. Hiruka Sandesh Ariyarathne – Mahinda College
2. First Runner-Up: K. Rivinu Dewhan Tilakawardena – Vidyaloka College
3. Second Runner-Up: D.G. Vinula Dulnith Daluwatte – Richmond College
4. Sakuna Koojana Nanayakkara – Richmond College
5. K.D. Sehas Vindeeu – Sri Buddhadhaththa Model School
6. M. Nimsara Angelo Wickremasinghe – Sri Gunananda Primary School – Balapitiya
7. Senuk Kethmin Marambage – Richmond College
8. N. Chithula Adeeksha Mandara – Dharmasoka College – Ambalangoda
Under 9 Girls
1. Champion: Nayanadini Keshari Gajanayaka – Karandeniya Primary College
2. First Runner-Up: K.B. Chathuni Kaveesha Dewduni – Southlands College – Galle
3. Second Runner-Up: S.H. Gayanadee Udamsa De Silva – Prajapathi Gothami Balika Maha Vidyalaya
4. J.M. Lochana Chanuthmi – Minco High School – Elpitiya
5. Enakshi Abhimani Laisha Herft – Sacred Heart Convent – Galle (Equal)
5. U.W. Jenuli Johansa – Sri Buddhadhaththa Model School – Ambalangoda (Equal)
5. M.W. Mihindi Monara – Dharmasoka College (Equal)
8. Lithma Mendini Laksiluni Dahanayaka – Southlands College
Under 11 Open
1. Champion: AFM U.P.A. Jalina Basuru Gunarathna – Richmond College – Galle
2. First Runner-Up: P.Y. Sethika Chandul Dhamsana – P.De.S. Kularathna College – Ambalangoda
3. Second Runner-Up: P.T. Seniru Dinsitha – Richmond College – Galle
4. K. Livinu Akash Tilakawardena – Ahangama Shariputhra Maha Vidyalaya
5. P.L. Sadew Thisaranga – St. Aloysius College – Galle
6. Helambage Desandu Chirandith – Mahinda College – Galle
7. B.G. Chanupa Lasandul – Sri Devananda College – Ambalangoda
8. Pamidu Sasmitha Wijesooriya – Dharmasoka College
Under 11 Girls
1. Champion: K.A. Chanumi Janulya – Southlands College – Galle
2. First Runner-Up: Saheli Wathnara Abeywardhana – Dharmasoka College
3. Second Runner-Up: Methmi Hasana Pate – Sri Buddhadhaththa Model School – Ambalangoda
4. Sithmi Sahansa Rajapaksha – Visakha Vidyalaya – Colombo
5. G. Sanadee Sanulya De Zoysa Wickramarathne – Prajapathi Gothami Balika Maha Vidyalaya
6. Methuki Yumindi Jasinghe – Southlands College – Galle
7. N.G. Luthara Jehansa – Southlands College (Equal)
7. Dinethi Mandara Narangoda – Southlands College (Equal)
Under 13 Open
1. Champion: K.A. Chalinu Jithen – Richmond College – Galle
2. First Runner-Up: W.D. Nethuka Manudisa – P.De.S. Kularathna College – Ambalangoda
3. Second Runner-Up: AFM W.A. Gesandu Kithnula – St. Aloysius College – Galle
4. Jenura Hirunjith Pasqual – Dharmasoka College
5. S.H. Esandu Induwara – Dharmasoka College
6. H.G. Lashen Eshan – Buonavista College – Galle
7. Riyon Amarawardhana – Richmond College – Galle
8. W.P. Daham Nimsara – St. Aloysius College – Galle
Under 13 Girls
1. Champion: Senethma Dewmi Randeniya – Dharmasoka College
2. First Runner-Up: Meenu Vihansa Hewapathirana – Southlands College – Galle
3. Second Runner-Up: N.W.K. Tanudi Amasha – Dharmasoka College
4. Nesandi Sandesna Jayasinghe – Dharmasoka College
5. Janudi Jayamanna – Southlands College (Equal)
5. B.K. Nihansa Dewmini – Southlands College (Equal)
7. Nethuli Dehansa Wanniarachchi – Southlands College
8. A.G. Malithi Dewmini Gunasekara – Sanghamiththa Girls College – Galle
Under 15 Open
1. Champion: Gunasekara Hiruja Sugeeth Hansana – St. Aloysius College – Galle
2. First Runner-Up: Sanhitha Minrada Kalansuriya – Christ Church Boys' College – Baddegama
3. Second Runner-Up: Jayasinghe B.G.S. Senhas – Mahinda College – Galle
4. Nethdinu Ruben Hiruja – Richmond College – Galle
5. R.A. Yesandu Lithmal – St. Aloysius College – Galle
6. W.D. Nelith Sanhitha – Christ Church Boys' College – Baddegama
7. U.V. Sithija Pahansara – – P.De.S. Kularathna College – Ambalangoda
Under 15 Girls
1. Champion: K K Hansali Dasanya – Southlands College - Galle
2. First Runner-Up: L G Apurvi Akarshana – Southlands College - Galle
3. Second Runner-Up: E M K Thanuvini Nemindi – Southlands College - Galle
4. Mihini Vinara Godamullage Don – Southlands College - Galle
5. Gagani Sandaseya Nanayakkara – Southlands College - Galle
Over 15 Open
1. Champion: K D R Gunavansha – Karandeniya Central College
Over 15 Girls
1. Champion: R Rashindi Vimansa – G/Sri Devananda College - Ambalangoda
2. First Runner-Up: Dinuli Nimansa Wickramasinghe – Southlands College - Galle
The Galle District Chess Championship exemplified the Chess Association's dedication to nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities for growth. Such initiatives play a pivotal role in developing chess skills and promoting sportsmanship among youth in Sri Lanka.
