Chess is a popular yet not very publicized game in Sri Lanka. While the history of chess in the international arena runs deep, in Sri Lanka during recent times many a youth have taken a keen interest in the game that tests one’s patience and intelligence. To ignite the passion in chess in the country, the “Kalutara Chess Festival”, an open international rating chess championship was recently organised by the Kalutara Chess Club that was held from the 13th to 19th January 2015 at the National Institute of Health Sciences, Nagoda, Kalutara. The winners walked away with total cash prizes worth nearly Rs. 325,000. The participation of world’s top ranking international chess players saw an influx of chess lovers from around the world to Kalutara that in turn saw all the Kalutara hotels and accommodations getting fully booked. The Sands, a reputed luxury hotel in Kalutara was one of the main tourist accommodations to have been patronized during this event.