Indian International Master Suvrajit Saha won the 9th Kandy Open International Chess Championship scoring 10/11 points and took away the grand prize of 100,000 LKR. Three players tied for second place with Rasika Samaranayake securing the Silver Medal on the tiebreak while International Master Somak Palit had to be satisfied with the Bronze. FIDE Master G.C.Anuruddha was thus placed fourth.

The Kandy Open International Chess Festival 2018, the biggest event in the Sri Lankan chess calendar, was held in Kandy from August 7-12 with a record number of 774 players including 18 foreign players. The tournament was organized by the 64 Squares International Chess Academy in collaboration with the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.

This year Kandy Open broke its own record for the biggest chess event in Sri Lanka passing the last year number of 667 with more than 100 new entries. The tournament’s prize fund was 850,000 LKR.

Mrs. Chathuirka Sirisena graced the opening ceremony as Chief Guest. Mr. Thilina Bandara Thennakoon - Minister of Sports, Industry, Youth and Women's Affairs and Development of the Central Province, Mrs. Kumudu Karunarathne - Secretary of Sports Ministry, Mr. Chandana Thennakoon - Commissioner of Kandy Municipal Council, Mr. Rajeendra Kalugampitiya - CEO of the 64 Squares International Chess academy and other distinguished guests attended the ceremony.

The tournament was inaugurated by the Mrs. Chathurika Sirisena, daughter of his Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena, and Thilina Bandara Thennakoon - the Minister of Sports – Central Province.

FIDE Master Harshana Thilakarathne – the highest rated chess player in Sri Lanka and Woman FIDE Master Zainab Saumy (the highest rated among women) were also present. They are both high quality products of the 64 Squares Chess Academy.

FIDE Master and Former National Champion Rajeendra Kalugampitiya, Managing Director of the 64 Squares Chess Academy, was also in attendance.

Adeepa Keerthirathne, a nine year old player at the opening ceremony.

Zainab Saumy gets felicitated for her outstanding career. She is one of the finest products of the 64 squares chess academy. FIDE Master Rajeendra has worked with her from the very first start. Zainab won the World Amateur Women’s Championship 2017 (Rating 1700 – 2000).