Susal and Oshini shine at Asian Youth Chess Championships
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Oshini Devindya Gunawardhana
In a dazzling display of strategic brilliance and tactical finesse, International Master Susal de Silva and the promising young talent Oshini Devindya Gunawardhana left an indelible mark at the prestigious Asian Youth Chess Championships 2023 held in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates during the last week of December in 2023.
In a fiercely contested Under-18 Open category, where 40 players battled for supremacy, International Master Susal de Silva of Nalanda College emerged the undisputed champion, scoring a perfect 7 out of 7 points. His unbeaten run throughout the event showcased not just skill but also nerves of steel. D.I. Zhang of China, also with a perfect 7 out of 7, had to settle for the runner-up position based on tie-breaks. The second runner-up position went to FM Satbek Akhmedinov of Kazakhstan, who secured 6.5 out of 7 points with a superior tie-break.
In the Under-12 Girls’ category, which featured 57 participants, Oshini Devindya Gunawardhana of Wycherley International School exhibited exceptional prowess as she secured the first runner-up position, clinching the silver medal with 7 out of 9 points. Despite a single loss in the fifth round, Oshini’s performance was stellar. The championship was claimed by Muziyan Gao of China, scoring an impressive 8.5 out of 9 points, while Mariya Kholyavko of Kazakhstan secured the second runner-up position with 6.5 out of 9 points.
Susal de Silva
The achievements of IM Susal and Oshini not only underscored their brilliance but also bring honour to Sri Lanka on the international chess stage. Their dedication, skill, and sportsmanship exemplify the spirit of chess as a game of intellect, strategy, and unwavering determination.
The Asian Youth Chess Championships, a pinnacle event attracting young talents from all corners of Asia vying for supremacy in age groups ranging from Under-8 to Under-18, both in the Open and Girls categories, had hundreds of players representing countries from the region. The tournament, held under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and affiliated with the World Chess Federation, showcased the future stars of the game. With a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from the first move, each championship unfolded in a rigorous nine-round Swiss format, testing the mettle of every participant.