IM Himal Gusain was crowned the DICF Player of the Year in the 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024, while Sandithi Kusalya Alwis emerged as the Women's Champion of the event.
The 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024 took place from 17th to 21st May 2024, boasting a record-breaking participation of 472 players. Held at the prestigious S. Thomas De Silva Memorial Auditorium, Dharmasoka College, the DICF 2024 was a FIDE-rated event offering both standard and blitz championships.
The Old Boys' Chess Association organized this esteemed competition with the affiliation of FIDE, the Asian Chess Federation, and the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. Inaugurated in 2011, the Dhamso International Chess Festival remains the first FIDE-rated event organized by a school-affiliated association in Sri Lanka.
This year's event offered a total prize fund of one million five hundred thousand LKR, including trophies, medals, and certificates for all participants, along with a special cash prize of One hundred and fifty thousand LKR for the DICF Player of the Year.
The tournament featured top players from Sri Lanka and beyond, with International Master Himal Gusain of India leading the ranks. International Master Harshana Thilakarathna of Sri Lanka, second in starting list, also graced the event.
Parallel to the main event, the Dhamso International Blitz Chess Championship 2024 unfolded on the evening of May 18th, 2024. Harsha Senatathne and WCM K M Dahamdi Sanudula emerged victorious in the Open and Women categories of the blitz event, respectively. T H D Thisarindu Induwara and C C Weerasinghe secured the first and second runners-up positions in the Open category, while Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage and M Esandi Newansa claimed the corresponding positions in the Women's category.
Left to right: IM Himal Gusain, Raweendra Pushpakumara, K A D Karunarathna, Sasith Nipun Piyumantha (Presiden of Dharmasoka College Old Boys' Chess Association)
In the main event, IM Himal Gusain clinched the Open Championship with a remarkable score of 9.5/10 points, conceding only one draw to IM Harshana Thilakarathne, who secured the first runner-up position with 9/10 points. G W D M Dabarera completed the podium, netting 8.5/10 points.
In the Women's Championship, Sandithi Kusalya Alwis emerged victorious, edging out competitors in a closely contested competition. Four players tied for first place with 7.5/10 points. Based on tiebreaks, Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage and B Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera took second positions, respectively, while J M Theruni Jayasundara had to settle for fourth place.
Left to right: Raweendra Pushpakumara, K A D Karunarathna, Sasith Nipun Piyumantha (Presiden of Dharmasoka College Old Boys' Chess Association),Sandithi Kusalya Alwis
The University of Moratuwa claimed the championship title in the Higher Education Teams category, with Sabaragamuwa University finishing second. In the Government Service and Mercantile Teams category, Sri Lanka Navy Western Command and Sri Lanka Navy Southern Command emerged as the champions and runners-up, respectively.
The awards ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Mr. Raweendra Pushpakumara, the chief guest, who was the first chess coach of Dharmasoka College and former master in charge of chess, who currently serves as the Principal of Sri Sumangala College, Panadura. Additionally, Mr Luxman Wijesuriya, President of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, was present, along with Mr Saman Priyantha Wijewickrama and Mr K A D Karunarathna, Principal of Dharmasoka College, further highlighting the significance of the event in the chess community.
The success of the 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024 is owed to the generous support of sponsors, including Qatar Alumina of Dharmasoka College, Dharmasoka College Past Pupils' Association – UAE, AKRA FOTO Digital Colourlab & Studio, INLUCK Computers & Printers, and Panhinda Bookshop.
Congratulations to all the winners! Anticipation builds for the 12th edition of the Dhamso International Chess Festival in 2025.
Written by Malith Akalanka
Photos: Dhamso Chess Facebook
