A Synopsis of Chess at Wesley

The appointments of Mr. Harinlal (Coach), Mr. Krishantha Nissanka (M.I.C) and P. J. H Fernando as the Captain of The Chess Team took part in its first tournament organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka at St. Thomas College Mt. Lavinia on 25^th May 1985. The Senior Team was able to secure total points of 9.5 – their opponents being St. Pauls Milagiriya, St. Josephs, St. Benedicts and Royal College.

The Inter – House Chess Competition was introduced, Wilkin House was declared champions.

The Chess Team – Chaminda Jagoda Arachchi, P. Abeysirigunawardane, S. Abeysirigunawardane, N. Surriyarachchi, K.K Bombugalage, Kumudu Rasika, P. J. H Fernando (Captain).

Wesley College Chess Team was Placed 5^th out of the 12 participating teams in the tournament organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka. Yohan Fernando and Sameera Kulatunge played mindful chess and were noted in this tournament.

Mr. T. D. R Peiris who was a member of the Sri Lankan Chess Team was appointed as the Coach.

The Team emerged victorious in Tournaments organized by Kannangara Vidyalaya and Methodist College.

Former Captain of Chess at Wesley College, Mr. P. H. J Fernando was appointed as the M.I.C

The Captain, S. Kulatunga received the Board No. 06 Championship Medal.

Wesley emerged victorious against Bishops College in both the Junior and Senior age groups.

With the Untiring effort of the new coach Mr. Pasan Mandara, The Team took part in the Inter – Club Tournament organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.

 The Under 14 Chess Team secured 3^rd Place at the All Island Chess Tournament.

Wesley fared well in the Western Province Inter – School, Under 19 Chess Tournament

Under the Captaincy of Gayan Perera and dedication of the T.I.C Mrs. S. Padmakanthi and Chess Coach, The Under 19 Team emerged Champions at the All Island Invitation Tournament conducted by St. Thomas College Mt. Lavinia and The under 15 Team captained by Asanka Perera were the 1^st Runners Up in the Schools Chess Federation Tournament

Gayan Perera was ranked 2^nd at the Junior Nationals

Avanka Fernando was qualified and selected to participate at the Asian Junior Chess Championship

Chandana Deshapriya, Rushitha Rodrigo, Visahan Nimal and Tharidu Senevirathne won the Board Prizes

Two Brothers namely Rahel and Ravish Karunarathne did exceptionally well to he selected to participate in National Level Tournaments. 

Rahel Karunarathne won five out of the six games in the Nationals Tournament

Rahel and Ravish Karunarathne excelled in the Kalutara Chess Festival and Open International Ratting Chess Champion in their age categories.

Ravish Karunarathne performed exceptionally obtaining four out of the 4 points as a reserve player in the 23rd Battle of the Kings Tournament.

Shenal Rupasinghe made an astonishing breakthrough to open his ratings by beating a rated player at the Kings Tournament.