The Kandy Open Chess Festival is the biggest and most popular chess event in Sri Lanka. In addition to offering the largest cash prize, the event also attracts the highest number of participants among all internationally rated events on the island. The event has consistently remained the most successful chess event in Sri Lanka, achieving new heights each year.

In 2019 there were 836 players, which broke the record of 773 from the previous year. In spite of missing the last two years due to the pandemic, we are looking forward to this year’s edition being even bigger and beer. We are expecting 1000 players with more than 30 foreign players for this event. These numbers are more than twice that of any other such event in Sri Lanka.

The Kandy Open is also unique in that it is the first to have a rated blitz championship alongside the main event. This has gained a lot of popularity over the years and has considerably added to the brand value of the Kandy Open. We expect more than 600 pa participants at this year’s Blitz event.

This year we have also upped the prize fund to Rs 1,555,000 [One Million and Five Hundred Five-Five Thousand], including prize money of Rs 150,000 for the champion. The event will therefore hold the biggest cash prize offered for a chess tournament in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, to provide the best experience for the players we have shifted our venue to both Mahinda Rajapakse Auditorium and NICD-Pologlla this year. With the new venues, we are ready to accommodate 1000 players at international standard and nature-friendly arena.

The 11th Kandy Open Chess Festival will include the following events:

• Kandy Open International Rating Chess Championship.

• Kandy Open International Rated Blitz Chess Championship.

• Chess Event for Parents.

• “Vision for Mission” – A workshop for parents on developing sustainable talent.

With the variety of these events, the Kandy Open Chess Festival remains the only chess event that successfully caters for the co-existence of difference competition with more fun and easy-going contests.

True to our watchword, “Start here, make a difference”, the organizers spare no pains to develop every aspect of chess in Sri Lanka. We have achieved many milestones over the years and will continue to work diligently for the betterment of the game and the players.