Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera emerged as the undisputed champion of the Ethugalpura Women’s Blitz Chess Championship 2025, securing a perfect score of 5 out of 5 points in a tournament that marked a significant milestone for women’s chess in Sri Lanka. The championship took place on December 21, 2025, at the Blue Sky Hotel in Kurunegala, as part of the larger 15th Ethugalpura International Chess Championship 2025.
The tournament was organized by the Knights Flame Chess Club under the direction of Tournament Director R T N Wijayakumara. What made this championship particularly special was that it was entirely managed by women officials, with NA Sanjeewani Kumari serving as Chief Arbiter, highlighting the growing strength and representation of women not just as players but also in officiating roles within Sri Lankan chess. The event was conducted as a 5-round Swiss system tournament with a blitz time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move.
In a dominant performance that captivated spectators throughout the day, 15-year-old Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera remained undefeated across all five rounds. Starting with a rating of 1817, Perera showcased exceptional tactical awareness and time management skills crucial for blitz chess. Her flawless campaign demonstrated not only her technical prowess but also her ability to maintain composure under the intense pressure of rapid-fire games. Perera’s victories came against strong opposition, and her perfect score of 15 match points solidified her position as one of Sri Lanka’s most promising young female chess talents.
The battle for second place was equally intense, with Hirudini Dehenya also achieving a perfect 5 out of 5 score. However, Dehenya had to settle for the runner-up position based on tiebreak calculations. The 15-year-old player, rated 1652, displayed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, securing crucial victories in each round. Her performance included impressive tactical combinations and solid positional play that kept her in contention for the championship title until the final tiebreak determination.
Risini Sehansa Athapaththu claimed the third position with an impressive score of 4.5 points out of 5 rounds. The 11-year-old player, rated 1401, demonstrated exceptional maturity and chess understanding beyond her years. Athapaththu’s performance included crucial victories and only narrowly missed joining the leaders with a perfect score, showcasing the depth of young talent in Sri Lankan women’s chess.
The tournament witnessed fierce competition throughout the field, with several players scoring 4 points. Tenuli Tehara Udapola finished fourth with 4 points, while AFM Bodhi Tamaya Bandara secured fifth place, also with 4 points. Sayumi Sithumila Halangoda, L H M G S Somarathne, and ACM Ananya Hewanayake all demonstrated strong performances, each finishing with 4 points and highlighting the competitive nature of the championship.
The championship featured 114 registered players representing the growing enthusiasm for women’s chess in Sri Lanka. Young players from various age categories competed alongside more experienced players, creating an atmosphere of learning and competitive excellence. The tournament saw participants from the Under-7, Under-11, and Under-15 categories, demonstrating the broad development of women’s chess across different age groups in the country.
This women-only championship was specifically designed to promote and celebrate women’s chess in Sri Lanka, providing a platform for female players to compete at a high level while creating role models for younger generations.
The Ethugalpura Women’s Blitz Championship was one of several special events organized as part of the larger 15th Ethugalpura International Chess Championship 2025, which ran from December 18-23, 2025. The festival also featured a Parents’ Event, where Janaka Sampath Siriwardene emerged victorious with a perfect 5 out of 5 score, bringing families together through chess and creating a festive atmosphere that celebrated the game across generations.
Congratulations to all the participants, winners, and organizers of the Ethugalpura Women’s Blitz Chess Championship 2025. This championship not only celebrated competitive excellence but also marked an important step forward in promoting and developing women’s chess in Sri Lanka, creating opportunities and inspiration for the next generation of female chess champions.
Women’s Blitz : Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com – Ethugalpura Women’s Blitz Chess Championship 2025
Parent’s Event : Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com – 15th Ethugalpura International Chess Championship 2025 – Parents’ Event