The Ethugalpura International Chess Championship stands as Sri Lanka’s most prestigious and celebrated chess tournament. Organized by the Knights Flame Chess Club, this remarkable event has grown from modest beginnings in 2009 to become the island nation’s premier chess competition, attracting players from across the globe and fostering generations of chess talent.
The tournament was founded in 2009 under the visionary leadership of President IA Werochana Perera and a dedicated team of officials from the Knights Flame Chess Club. Their goal was simple yet ambitious: to create a world-class chess platform that would elevate the game in Sri Lanka and provide opportunities for players of all levels to compete, learn, and excel. What started as a modest initiative has transformed into an internationally recognized event that draws hundreds of participants annually.
The tournament’s growth tells a compelling story of success and popularity. From 204 participants in the classical event in 2009, the championship has witnessed exponential growth year after year. By 2024, the tournament achieved a historic milestone, welcoming a record-breaking 1,026 players in the classical event and 669 in the blitz event. This remarkable expansion reflects the deep trust and admiration that the chess community has placed in Ethugalpura as the benchmark for excellence in Sri Lankan chess.
The addition of the blitz event in 2022 further enhanced the tournament’s appeal, offering players multiple formats to showcase their skills. The blitz section quickly gained traction, with participation numbers growing from 248 in its inaugural year to 669 in 2024.
Over the years, Ethugalpura has crowned numerous champions who have left their mark on Sri Lankan chess history. In the open section, champions like R.S. Kalugampitiya (2009, 2015), W.S. Vidura K. Koggala (2010, 2017), and Chinthaka Anuruddha Galappaththi (2013, 2022) have demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency. The tournament has also attracted international champions, including Arun Karthik R from India (2011), Bernd Daverkausen from Germany (2012), and Alexej Khamtagaleev from Russia (2016), highlighting its growing international reputation.
The women’s section has been equally impressive, with champions like Dinushki Premanath (2009), Tejaswini Sagar from India (2010), and recent winners including Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake (2022) and R.M. Dulinma Hemalni Rathnayake (2023). These talented players have inspired countless young women to pursue chess competitively.
As the Ethugalpura International Chess Championship enters its 15th edition in 2025, it promises to be the grandest celebration yet. Scheduled from December 18th to 23rd, 2025, at the Hotel Blue Sky in Kurunegala, this year’s tournament carries the theme “A Legacy of Moves and Mastery.”
The 2025 edition features an impressive prize fund exceeding 1.84 million LKR, distributed across classical, rapid, and blitz formats. The tournament offers multiple categories to ensure inclusivity: open category, best women, rating categories (1700-1900, 1500-1699, 1400-1499, unrated, and over 50), age categories (under 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 for both girls and boys), and kids category (under 6 for girls and boys separately).
The schedule is meticulously planned, beginning with an exciting rapid event on December 18th, followed by the opening ceremony and classical rounds from December 19th to 23rd. Special events include the Ethugalpura Open Rated Blitz Event, Parents Blitz Event, and Women Blitz Event, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.
The Ethugalpura International Chess Championship is more than just a chess event—it’s an institution that has shaped Sri Lankan chess for over a decade. The combination of rich history, competitive spirit, world-class organization, and inclusive approach sets it apart as the undisputed best chess tournament in the country.
Year after year, Ethugalpura raises the bar for chess excellence in Sri Lanka, inspiring players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a budding enthusiast or a seasoned competitor, Ethugalpura is where the best gather to make their mark and where chess dreams become reality.