Rahel Chaanakya Karunaratne finished second runner-up in the open under-6 category of the Asian Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2013 held from June 19 to 26 in Sari, Iran. About 500 players from 15 countries participated in this tournament and 20 players represented Sri Lanka. Rahel was the only player to bring a medal for the country.
Rahel Karunaratne who won the bronze medal in this tournament is a young up and coming Chess player who studies in Grade one at Wesley College, Colombo. He was the champion of both under 6 National Youth Rapid championship and Blitz Championship conducted by Sri Lanka Chess Federation and was also selected to represent Sri Lanka in the Asian Youth Chess Championship. Rahel started playing Chess one year ago and he has made a significant progress under the guidance of his coach Indika Anuruddha. During this short period, Rahel has won many other age group tournaments and his biggest achievement was to play in Sri Lanka National Chess Championship – Major Division, conducted by Sri Lanka Chess Federation. He may be the youngest player in Sri Lanka who got qualified to the said tournament, at the age of five.
