Vinuka clinches double gold while Dulein pockets bronze
Vinuka Dihain Wijerathna
In a brilliant display of talent, two young players from Sri Lanka made their mark at international level as Vinuka Dihain Wijerathna emerged champion, winning the gold medal in the Under-11 Open category with an impressive score of 5.5 out of 7 points at the Asian Schools Blitz Chess Championship 2023 held in Uzbekistan.
In addition Dulein Bimsathin Labunahewage of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, also showcased remarkable skills, tying for the championship with the same score. But Vinuka’s strategic brilliance and determination shone throughout the tournament, leading him to victory.
Though Dulien narrowly missed the top spot, his incredible performance secured him the bronze medal, giving Sri Lanka a double podium.
Vinuka, a student at Royal College, Colombo, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure in the high-intensity matches, securing the top spot in his category. The championship was fiercely contested, with three players tying for the lead, but Vinuka’s exceptional performance earned him a well-deserved gold medal.
Dulein Bimsathin Labunahewage
Meanwhile, Dulein showed incredible resilience and talent, making it a closely fought battle for the top positions. With his impressive achievements, he claimed the third spot and the bronze medal, adding more glory to Sri Lanka’s success at the championship.
Earlier Vinuka, the talented chess prodigy from Royal College, clinched the gold medal in the Under-11 Open category with an impressive score of 5.5 out of 7 points at the Asian Schools Rapid Chess Championship 2023.
After a fierce competition, Vinuka emerged champion in the highly competitive Under-11 Open category, with five players achieving the same impressive score of 5.5 out of 7 points, leading to an intense battle for the top spot. However, with a superior tiebreak, Vinuka claimed the well-deserved gold medal. Shakhzod Islamov of Uzbekistan and Suleyman Akhmet of Kazakhstan secured the silver and bronze medals respectively.
The Asian Schools Blitz and Rapid Chess Championships 2023 were organised by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation. The thrilling competitions witnessed participants from various age groups, battling it out in the Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 categories in both Open and Girls divisions.