Susal wins gold in the highest division

Susal de Silva of Nalanda College won the gold medal of the highest age group, the Under-18 Open event, at the Western Asian Chess Championships 2022. He scored a total of 6½ points out of 9 games with wins against Mohamed Rayyan of the Maldives, Zhandir Bizigitov of Kazakhstan, Bin Yashid Mujahid of the Maldives and Reja Neer Manon of Bangladesh, while drawing against Mobin Faizan of Pakistan, Aziz Degenbaev of Kazakhstan, S. Harshad of India, Kummoyum Begmiratov of Uzbekistan and Anjum Noshin of Bangladesh to score 6½ points and remain unbeaten. He won the title on better tiebreaking points after a five way tie and hence received an International Master Norm instead of the title.

Dinuwara Seneviratne (Under-16 Open) from Maliyadeva College, Vinuda Shenal Gunatilake (Under-14 Open) from Royal College, B. Janukshsn (Under-12 Open) from Jaffna Hindu College all won bronze medals in their respective age groups. Dinuwara beat compatriots Jenith Weeratunge and K.G.S.T.D. Kiriella, Shaker Mohammed of Bangladesh, Kushal Belbase of Kazakhstan, Amer Ijlal of Pakistan and Wasim Ahmed Yusuf of the Maldives. He drew against Alikhan Kashatuly of Kazakhstan, but lost to the strong FIDE

Masters Zhakshylykov Erzhan of Kyrgyzstan and Madaminov Mukhiddin of Uzbekistan to reach 6½ points and claim the bronze medal.

Vinuda beat Maldivians Akil Ihsan Mustafa and Aathik Haleem Ahmed, fellow compatriot Disara Thennakoon, Iunusov Nuriddin of Kyrgyzstan, Ridwan Syed of Bangladesh and Ikaan Waleed of the Maldives. He drew against Dumanuly Sultanbeibarys of Kazakhstan and lost two games, against Sahib Singh of India and Mohamed Sajidul Haque of Bangladesh to earn 6½ points and the bronze medal.

Janukshan beat Mohamed Mahfooz Muqsith of the Maldives, Pandey Abin of

Nepal, Bozorov Javokhir of Uzbekistan, Kabylbek Yedil of Kazakhstan, Nithik Reddy Bhavanam of India and Mann Ismail

Mukhthaba of the Maldives, and drew against Emir Sharshenbekov of Kazakhstan. He recorded losses against Goutham Krishna of India and Sakline Mostafa Sajid of Bangladesh to earn 6½ points out of 9 games and win the title of his age category.

The Western Asian Youth Chess Championships 2022, conducted by the Asian Chess Federation was organised by the Maldivian Chess Federation from June 15 to 23at the Island of Ukluhas, Maldives. Players representing nine countries -Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan participated.