Harsha and Dahamdi emerge champs at Dhamso International Blitz Chess Festival 2024

Harsha Senarathne and WCM K.M. Dahamdi Sanudula emerged champions of the Dhamso International Blitz Chess Championship 2024 in the Open and Women’s categories, respectively, held at the Dharmasoka College auditorium in Ambalangoda.

Harsha Senarathne claimed the Open Championship title with an impressive score of 8.5 out of 9 points, remaining unbeaten throughout the event and only drawing one game in the fifth round. Four players tied for the first runner-up position with 8 out of 9 points, with T.H.D. Thisarindu Induwara and C.C. Weerasinghe secured the first and second runner-up positions respectively, based on tie-break scores.

In the Women’s category, WCM Dahamdi Sanudula secured the championship with a score of 7 out of 9 points. Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage claimed the first runner-up position, while M.

Esandi Newansa secured the second runner-up position.

A total of 315 players participated in the Blitz Championship, which followed a nine-round Swiss format with a time control of three minutes plus a two-second increment per move. The Dhamso International Blitz Chess Championship 2024, organised alongside the 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024, was held on May 18 at the S. Thomas de Silva Memorial Auditorium of Dharmasoka College in Ambalangoda. This event was orchestrated by the Old Boys’ Chess Association of Dharmasoka College, in affiliation with FIDE, the Asian Chess Federation, and the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. The championship featured a handsome prize pool, trophies, medals, and certificates. Additionally, prizes were awarded for various rating categories and age groups based on players’ performances.