Chess queen Devindya battles challenges to make Sri Lanka proud

Devindya Gunawardhana has made history as the youngest Women’s International Master (WIM) title holder in the world

She has played in many overseas tournaments with much credit to her name 

For Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana (13), chess is something more than a board game. What began as a pastime to beat her sister at the game had transformed her life to a point where she now has no challenge in facing local chess competitions. At present, Gunawardhana has made history as the youngest Women’s International Master (WIM) title holder in the world, a chess title awarded by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). But mounting financial hardships are an everyday challenge for her family who seeks a sponsor to help their younger daughter reach greater heights in life through the sport. The Daily Mirror met with Devindya a few hours before she embarked on her dream tour to contest the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup currently underway in Batumi, Georgia. She is the youngest player participating at this Championship. This is her story. 

A bright star

Devindya is a past pupil of Ferguson Girls’ High School, Ratnapura and had started playing chess at age 7. It all started when her uncle had gifted a chess board to her elder sister for her birthday. “But she didn’t know how to play the game and we taught her the rules,” said Chandima Dissanayake, Devindya’s mother. But Devindya insisted that she too should be taught the game because she wanted to beat her sister. This was her introduction to chess. 

But what began as a past time at home transformed into a serious sport and Devindya was determined to show her talents to the world. Having mastered the techniques under the supervision of several chess masters including Jagath Ketalawela, Devindya was unstoppable at one point. 

Some of her notable achievements amidst a long list of accomplishments are as follows;

• 2021 Asian Youth Online Chess Championship (U-10 girls) – 2nd runners up
• 2021 Western Asia Youth Online Chess Championship (U-10 girls) – Champion 
• 2021 FIDE Online World Cup Cadets and Youth (U-10 girls) – Champion
• 2022 Asian Schools Chess Championship (U-11 girls – Blitz and Rapid) – Champion 
• 2022 Asian Schools Chess Championship (U-11 girls – Classical) – Champion 
• 2022 Commonwealth Chess Championship (U-10 girls) – Champion
• 2022 Asian Youth Chess Championship (U-10 girls) – Champion 
• 2023 West Asian Youth Chess Championship (U-12 girls – Rapid and Blitz events) – Champion
• ‘Girls Player of the Year’ awarded by Asian Chess Federation
• 2023 FIDE World Cadet Chess Championship (U-12 girls) – Champion – the first medal won by a Sri Lankan player following which she received the WIM title 
• 2024 Representing Sri Lanka at 45th World Chess Olympiad as a member of the Sri Lanka National Women’s Team – Placed 3rd in  Category C scoring 8.5 out of 9 rounds 
• 2024 National Women’s Chess Championship- Champion – she became the youngest female player to have won the National Chess Championship in Sri Lankan Chess history 
• 2024 West Asian Girls Chess Championship (U-20) – Champion 
• Devindya is one among 107 other players at the FIDE Women’ Chess World Cup currently underway in Georgia. 

A difficult journey 

However her mother believes that the story would have been different if they remained in Ratnapura. “We knew that she needed a better environment to pursue her dreams in chess. This is when we decided to move to Colombo. Initially we had no plans whatsoever. We had to find a place for rent, find a school for her and my elder daughter and basically start all over again,” she added. Devindya is now pursuing her primary education at Wycherley International School and she acknowledged the support rendered by her school to pursue her passion in chess.

Following her victory at the World Youth Championship, the Sri Lanka Chess Federation had come forward to sponsor her ticket at future tournaments. But since she’s a 13-year old she has to be accompanied by her mother who has difficulty funding for her own ticket. “We didn’t have the finances to send her for the first Asian Youth Chess Championship. Then a father of a child in the same age category sponsored and sent us almost by force. Even though she won it we didn’t get any support from the government. During the upcoming tournament, I have to once again sponsor my ticket and accommodation. The accommodation and air fare for my daughter is being covered by FIDE,” she continued.  

The need for a sponsor 

Devindya’s prowess in the sport has made her a star in the local chess scene to the point that she needs more exposure with contestants who could challenge her. For this she has to travel to India or a country with veterans or Grandmasters (GMs). So once in two months she has to travel to Chennai, India for 20 days. Chandima further said that then again they have a challenge in finding a sponsor for tickets and accommodation. “Sometimes I’m in a dilemma as to how we could support her to continue her journey in chess. Here we don’t have a sponsor for both our tickets and I’m in a dilemma as to whether she would be able to continue her passion amidst these challenges. Having a sponsor for the child is the best option at the moment, but at least if someone could sponsor the tickets in subsequent tournaments it would be a big relief for her family,” she underscored. Chandima was initially employed, but after having to accompany her daughter she is unable to work at this point.

Matured child 

What is quite significant about Devindya’s achievements is the fact that she has drawn inspiration from the sport to face life in a matured manner. “I don’t see my younger daughter as a 13-year old, but as someone more mature than that. She sometimes advises me when I’m faced with challenges. She has a solution for every crisis we face and it’s a big relief for us,” Chandima said with tears swelling her eyes. 

As a parting message Devindya said that whoever who likes to learn chess should in fact work hard. She is hopeful about winning the Women’s World Cup and is determined to carry the Sri Lankan flag around the world. 

For more details contact Chandima on +94 74 193 2029.