FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia and WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana Lead the Asian Zonal Chess Championship 2025 – Zone 3.2 After Six Rounds.
The Asian Zonal Chess Championship 2025 – Zone 3.2 is in full swing at the Ramada Hotel, Colombo, with intense battles unfolding across the Open and Women’s categories. Organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka on behalf of FIDE (International Chess Federation) and the Asian Chess Federation, the championship commenced on March 11, 2025, and will continue until March 18, 2025.
The tournament features two categories: Open and Women, both conducted in a nine-round Swiss format. Players are competing under a classical time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes, with a 30-second increment per move from move one.
The Open Championship has drawn 40 players from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan. After six rounds, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia of Bangladesh is currently leading with an impressive 5 out of 6 points, positioning himself as a strong contender for the title. Six players are closely trailing with 4.5 out of 6 points, ensuring a fierce battle in the upcoming rounds: Pesandu Rashmitha Liyanage of Sri Lanka, IM Rahman Mohammad Fahad of Bangladesh, FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman of Bangladesh, IM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Sri Lanka, IM G. M. H. Thilakarathne of Sri Lanka, and IM Reja Neer Manon of Bangladesh. With three rounds remaining, the competition remains wide open, as each move becomes critical in determining the final standings.
The Women’s Championship features 23 players from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, the Maldives, and Bhutan. At the end of the sixth round, WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana of Sri Lanka has established herself as the frontrunner with 5 out of 6 points. Three players are in close pursuit with 4.5 out of 6 points, keeping the championship race intense. They are WCM K. M. Dahamdi Sanudula of Sri Lanka, WFM Ahmed Wadifa of Bangladesh, and AFM R. M. Dulinma Hemalni Rathnayake of Sri Lanka. As the tournament progresses, these top contenders will be aiming for decisive victories to improve their chances of securing the championship title.
With the championship entering a crucial stage, all eyes are on the key matchups in Round 7. FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia of Bangladesh will face IM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Sri Lanka in a highly anticipated encounter that could shake up the leaderboard. Meanwhile, in the Women’s category, WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana of Sri Lanka will face WFM Ahmed Wadifa of Bangladesh in a critical game that could determine the championship trajectory.
As the Asian Zonal Chess Championship 2025 – Zone 3.2 moves into its final rounds, the battle for supremacy intensifies, promising thrilling encounters ahead. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament unfolds.
