Sri Lankan chess has reached a landmark moment. WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana has officially entered the FIDE World Top 100 Women Players, currently ranked 96th in the world — and in doing so, she has etched her name permanently into the history books of Sri Lankan chess. What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is that Oshini is the youngest player on the entire Top 100 list, a testament to the exceptional talent and maturity she has demonstrated on the international stage.
Breaking Barriers — Sri Lanka’s First Female Player Above 2300
With a current FIDE rating of 2347, Oshini becomes the first Sri Lankan female chess player in history to surpass the 2300 rating barrier. This is not merely a personal milestone — it is a watershed moment for the entire Sri Lankan chess community, one that signals the arrival of a genuinely world-class talent and opens a new chapter in the story of women’s chess in this country. The 2300 threshold has long been considered one of the most significant markers of elite-level chess strength, and crossing it places Oshini in the company of the finest women players in the world.
A Triple Ranking Achievement
Oshini’s rise has been reflected across multiple FIDE ranking lists simultaneously. In addition to her 96th place in the World Top 100 Women, she currently holds the 13th position in the World Girls Under-20 Rankings — a category that features some of the most talented young female players from chess powerhouses across Asia, Europe, and beyond. Most remarkably of all, she holds the title of World No. 1 Under-15 Female Player — meaning that among all girls aged 15 and under competing in rated chess across the entire world, Oshini stands at the very top of the rankings. These three rankings together paint the picture of a player whose growth is not slowing — it is accelerating.
The Journey Behind the Achievement
Reaching the World Top 100 does not happen by accident. Behind Oshini’s remarkable rise lies years of hard work, consistent improvement, and strategic exposure to the highest levels of international competition. A critical part of her journey has been her participation in prestigious European tournaments, where she has tested herself against strong and varied opposition across multiple rating pools — gathering crucial rating points and invaluable competitive experience in the process. That participation was made possible by the generous support of a sponsoring family whose contribution to Oshini’s career deserves to be recognized and celebrated alongside the achievement itself.
Equally important to her development has been the guidance of her trainer, FI Akila Kavinda, whose dedicated coaching and careful preparation have shaped Oshini into the complete and confident player she is today. The work that happens behind the scenes — in training sessions, in game analysis, in tournament preparation — is the invisible foundation upon which visible achievements like this are built, and FI Akila Kavinda’s contribution to this historic milestone deserves the fullest recognition.
An Inspiration for a Generation
Oshini’s achievement carries a significance that extends far beyond ratings and rankings. For every young girl in Sri Lanka who sits down at a chessboard and wonders how far she can go, Oshini’s story provides a powerful and concrete answer. She is proof that with dedication, the right support, and the courage to compete at the highest levels, a Sri Lankan player — a young Sri Lankan girl — can stand among the best in the world.
The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka and the entire Sri Lankan chess community are immensely proud of everything Oshini has achieved, and we look forward to following her continued rise on the world stage. With her talent, her work ethic, and the support structure around her, a place in the World Top 10 is not a dream — it is a destination.
Congratulations, WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana. You have made history, and you have made Sri Lanka proud. Keep shining! ♟️🌟🇱🇰
