10th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2023
View(s):International Master Mohan Kushagra from India was crowned DICF Player of the Year while Arena FIDE Master R.M. Dulinma Hemalni Rathnayake emerged the Women’s champion at the Dhamso International Chess Festival 2023.
The 10th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2023, organised by the Old Boys’ Chess Association of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda, was held from May 26 to 30 at Hotel Lavanga Resort and Spa in Hikkaduwa. DICF 2023 is fully endorsed by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, Asian Chess Federation and World Chess Federation. Celebrating the 10th year of DICF, a total cash fund of Rs.1.4 million was offered to the winners with certificates, medals and trophies. The event was held as 10 rounds Swiss System event with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment from move 01.
Over 660 players competed in the event with one Grand Master, two International Masters, a FIDE Master and three arena FIDE Masters from four countries, Azerbaijan, India, Russia and Sri Lanka.
This year Dhamso International Chess Festival consisted of a classical event, blitz event, workshops, parents’ events, movie theatres and many more. A few founders of the Dhamso International Chess Festival which started in 2011 graced the awards ceremony, including Chamin Dennis Livera, Gihan Kanchana, Jayamal De Vas Gunawardhana and Malith Akalanka with Luxman Wijesuriya, the President of Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.
At the Dhamso International Blitz Chess Championship, International Master Mohan Kushara won the championship by scoring 8.5 out of 9 points. He only lost one game in fifth round. Three players tied for the first runner-up position. With a better tie-break, K.P.R.N. Samaranayake and Thisal Manjith Piyumantha won the silver and bronze medals respectively. IM Himal Gusain secured equal second place. Women Candidate Master T.H.D. Niklesha Tharushi won the Women’s championship scoring 7.5 out of 9. Women Candidate Master K.M. Dahamdi Sanudula became the first runner-up scoring 7 out of 9 points. Two players tied for the second runner-up position, A.G. Javindi Avarjana Akuratiya and Oneli Omaya Wilvalaarachchi. With a better tie-break, A.G. Javindi Avarjana Akuratiya won the bronze medal and Oneli placed in equal third position. Winners in the other 16 categories were also awarded with prizes.
In the Main event, IM Mohan Kushara won the championship scoring 9 out of 10 points. He drew two games in 8 and 10 rounds. Three players tied for the first runner-up position scoring 8.5 out of 10 points. With better tie-breaks, S.D.B.K. Senevirathne from Sri Lanka and Grand Master Azer Mirzoev from Azerbaijan secured the silver and bronze medals. While IM Himal Gusain had to satisfy with an equal second position. Arena FIDE Master Dulinma Hemalni Rathnayake won the Women’s championship scoring 7 out of 10 points. Six players tied for the championship scoring 7 out of 10 points. With better tie-breaks, Dulinma managed to emerge as the champion. WCM K.M. Dahamdi Sanudula and Yasasi Geemini Abeysekara won the silver and bronze medals respectively. J.A.K.N.T. Indrajith, P.G. Nithuni Pehesara and Dahamsa Punsadi Devaraja had to satisfy with equal first position. Winners in the other 22 categories were also awarded.