chessbase india logo

Himal Gusain dominates 11th Dhamso International Rating Open 2024

by Malith Akalanka - 10/06/2024

IM Himal Gusain scored an unbeaten 9.5/10 to win 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024. The top seed of the tournament finished a half point ahead of the rest. IM G M H Thilakarathne (SRI) scored 9/10 to secure second place. G W D M Dabarera (SRI) scored sole 8.5/10 to finish third. Himal drew against the eventual runner-up Thilakarathen and defeated the second runner-up, Dabarera. The total prize fund of the tournament was LKR 1500000. The top three prizes in the Classical event were LKR 150000, 100000 and 75000 along with a trophy and medal each. This was Himal's third tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Malith Akalanka

Unveiling the triumphs of the 11th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2024

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 encompassing both standard and blitz championships. The Old Boys’ Chess Association organised this esteemed championship with the affiliation of FIDE, the Asian Chess Federation, and the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. Since its inauguration in 2011, the Dhamso International Chess Festival has remained the first FIDE-rated event organised by a school-affiliated association in Sri Lanka.

Champion - IM Himal Gusain 9.5/10 | Photo: Malith Akalanka

L to R: IM Himal Gusain, Raweendra Pushpakumara, K A D Karunarathna, Sasith Nipun Piyumantha (President of Dharmasoka College Old Boys' Chess Association).

IM Himal Gusain in action | Photo: Sathira Chamupathi De Silva/Shutter Time

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 also graced the event, securing the second position in the starting rank list.

IM Himal Gusain scored an unbeaten 9.5/10, finished a half point ahead of the field and gained 4.7 Elo rating points

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 secured the second runner-up position with 8.5/10 points.

Champion in Women - H Sandithi Kusalya Alwis (SRI) 7.5/10 | Photo: Malith Akalanka

L to R: Raweendra Pushpakumara, K A D Karunarathna, Sasith Nipun Piyumantha, President of Dharmasoka College Old Boys' Chess Association, Sandithi Kusalya Alwis

 

In the Women's Championship, Sandithi Kusalya Alwis emerged victorious with 7.5/10 points, edging out competitors in a closely contested event. Four players tied for the championship with 7.5/10 points. Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage and B Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera secured the first and second runners-up positions, respectively. J M Theruni Jayasundara had to be satisfied with fourth place with her tie-break.

Players in action | Photo: Dhamso Chess

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.

The tournament hall at S Thomas De Silva Memorial Auditorium, Dharmasoka College in Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka | Photo: Sathira Chamupathi De Silva/Shutter Time

Himal Gusain lighting of the lamp | Photo: Sathira Chamupathi De Silva/Shutter Time

Dhamso International Chess Festival team | Photo: Sathira Chamupathi De Silva/Shutter Time

Trophies and medals | Photo: Sathira Chamupathi De Silva/Shutter Time

The University of Moratuwa claimed the championship title in the Higher Education Teams category, with Sabaragamuwa University securing the first runners-up position. In the Government Service and Mercantile Teams category, Sri Lanka Navy Western Command and Sri Lanka Navy Southern Command emerged as the champions and first runners-up, respectively.

 

Apart from competitive matches, rating category prizes and age group winners were also recognised for their outstanding performances.

 

The awards ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Mr. Raweendra Pushpakumara as 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 was made possible through 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, and anticipation builds for the 12th edition of the Dhamso International Chess Festival in 2025.

Replay all available games

Final standings

Rk.SNo NameTypsexFEDRtgPts. TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4  TB5 
11
IMGusain, HimalIND24859,5066,570,566,0053
22
IMThilakarathne, G M HSRI23619067,572,563,7551,5
36
Dabarera, G W D MSRI19148,506771,558,2549,5
48
Sivathanujan, SSRI18818067,571,553,0049
53
Hari, Charan Sai KalluriIND209380656851,0049
611
CMAmarasinghe, A A C BSRI1847806466,550,0046
79
Konatham, SnehilIND185680626550,2545
823
Senarathne, A A H M BSRI17288061,56750,0044
95
FMAlahakoon, IsuruSRI19198061,56348,5045
1019
De Silva, OsheenSRI178280596247,5046,5
1117
Gowsalyan, SSRI18027,5066,569,548,2547,5
1218
Jayaweera, YSRI17857,5064,569,550,7547,5
1322
Madushanka, HarshaSRI17447,5064,568,548,0045
1424
Gnanaseelan, Jude DorisonSRI17277,5063,56746,7546,5
1533
Alwis, H Sandithi KusalyaF16wSRI16617,50636846,7545,5
1620
Gamage, Ovin VidmalSRI17657,5061,565,545,7546,5
177
Kaluarachchi, Achinthya ShamenSRI18827,50616647,7544,5
1855
Galkotuwa, K A R G W S N B IU16SRI15807,50616445,5043
1916
Perera, B Jayod Yasindu RashmikaU16SRI18037,5060,564,546,7543,5
2029
Palliyage, Sethumlee DevharaF12wSRI16997,5060,56344,7544,5
2152
Nimsanda, K H SavithaU16SRI15887,505962,542,5043,5
2231
Lakshitha, H H SasinduSRI16687,5058,562,545,7543
2356
Gunaratne, Chivath DatheshaSRI15807,5058,56042,5044
2444
Wijeratne, Rehan NawanthaU16SRI16267,505761,543,7542
2547
Pathmasiri, R D Isuru SarangaSRI16047,50576142,5042,5

Details

Links

Official site

Dhamso Chess fb page

About the Author

Malith Akalanka is an International Arbiter. He is also the co-founder of Dhamso International Chess Festival.

 

Additional inputs by Shahid Ahmed


Related news:
JDCA invites you to 2nd Jaffna International Chess Championship 2024 in Sri Lanka

@ 14/09/2024 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Subhayan Kundu wins DINI GM International Open 2024

@ 17/08/2024 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
JDCA invites trainers to teach in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

@ 30/07/2024 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Kumar Gaurav wins 6th SSC Rating Open 2024, Tejaswini Sagar second

@ 26/05/2024 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Nikhil M clinches 2nd Queenstar Rating Open 2024, Indrajeet Mahindrakar second and Swapnil Dhopade third

@ 18/05/2024 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Indrajeet Mahindrakar wins a double at 2nd Super Knights Rating Open 2024

@ 09/05/2024 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Sri Lanka's Premier Chess event 2nd Queenstar Open 2024 starts in a week

@ 20/04/2024 by Himank Ghosh (en)
SKCA invites you to 2nd Super Knights Rating Open 2024 in Sri Lanka

@ 02/04/2024 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Anup Deshmukh wins Jaffna Open 2023, Sekhar Sahu second

@ 05/01/2024 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
JDCA invites you to Jaffna International Chess Championship 2023 in Sri Lanka

@ 19/10/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Indrajeet Mahindrakar dominates 12th Kandy Open 2023

@ 13/10/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Swapnil Dhopade dominates 7th Negombo International Chess Festival 2023

@ 20/09/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
The next big thing in Sri Lankan Chess - Thehas Rithmitha

@ 19/06/2023 by Sagar Shah (en)
Kushagra Mohan wins a double at 10th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2023

@ 17/06/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Old Boys' Chess Association of Dharmasoka College invites you to 10th Dhamso International Chess Festival

@ 07/05/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Deepan Chakkravarthy wins 1st Queenstar Rating Open 2023, Raahul V S third

@ 06/05/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Raahul V S wins 1st Queenstar Blitz Rating Open 2023

@ 05/05/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
An all expense paid trip to Sri Lanka for Queens Star International

@ 10/04/2023 by Sachini Ranasinghe (en)
Mihail Nikitenko conquers CFSL Golden Jubilee Open 2022, Thej Kumar second

@ 13/12/2022 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Isuru Alahakoon - Four time Sri Lanka National Champion

@ 17/05/2019 by Marlon Fernando (en)

Contact Us