Walking down the path of victories of J’pura sports, it is time to look up on J\’pura chess. This board game of mind games has set its markers on mother J\’pura with tremendous talents of both men’s and women’s teams of USJ. J’pura Chess has a silent history from the beginning of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Many players came to light from time to time throughout those years, and the teams caught up to their winning streak of performances in the recent past.
True-hearted players of men’s team showed their colours at Inter-University Games since 2014, winning 2nd place and in 2015 the 3rd place finally owning a hat-trick of championships from 2016 to 2018. Men’s chess team held on to their champion spirits in the Sri Lanka University Games (SLUG) in 2016 emerging once again as champions and scored the 3rd place in SLUG 2019. Setting a step towards fame and recognition, men’s chess team of USJ got qualified to Sri Lanka Inter-Club Super-League Chess Championship in 2016. Becoming the first-ever university team in any sport to secure a place at a national level event in the same field, men’s team placed 2nd runners up in 2017 and the champions in 2018 at Inter-Club Super-League Chess Championship.
Matching the spirits of men’s team, the women’s chess team of USJ created their path of success in the field with flying colours. They were placed 3rd at Inter-University Games in 2017 and 2018. Participating in Inter-Club Championships, the women’s team displayed talents by becoming runner- up in Sri Lanka Women’s Interclub Team Chess Championship in 2017. Continuing the winning campaign, women’s team became the champions in the Sri Lanka Inter-Club Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in 2018 by securing positions of runner- up in Blitz and champions in Rapid sections.
Proving the talents on Sri Lankan grounds, our xhess teams decided to go the extra mile and stepped onto the International grounds in 2016 at Grand Asia Chess Challenge (GACC). Holding the 2nd place in 2016 and equal 3rd place in 2017, they proved their success by winning the trophy of champions in 2018.
Team spirits fire up with each player\’s talents. J\’pura chess teams created chances for their team players to gain individual recognition at a national and an international level.
Chamika Perera, Buddhika Amarasinghe, and Sharma Rajapakshe participated in ASIAN UNIVERSITY GAMES in 2016 held in Singapore. Following the year 2017, Buddhika Amarasinghe represented Team Sri Lanka at Asian Club Championship League held in Hikkaduwa and became the Best on board 5. USJ chess has endorsed players to the national pool to give glory to Sri Lanka as a team in international platforms. Chamika Perera in 2016, Buddhika Amarasinghe in 2017, and Iridu Basnayake in 2018 joined the national pool representing the spirits of USJ. Moving to international grounds, Dinul Doluweera participated in the World University Games in 2018 in Brazil. J’pura chess has had the pleasure of the presence of team players who have participated and won at the National Sports Festival held in each year.
J’pura Chess Club has now established a renowned brand in the context of Sri Lankan Chess, with the humble contributions of past and present players. It is their outlook to help improve the talents and skills of the Sri Lankan Chess community in their full capacity. We Flamians wish upon their success and future experiences to shine together with the Chess community.
Written by : Amanda Goonathilake
Graphic designed by : Jithmi Rajapaksha