Gaveshika qualifies for three global Chess Meets
Keshari Gaveshika of Gothami Girls’ School Kandy qualified for the World Cadet Chess Championship and the Commonwealth Chess Championship after emerging victorious at the All-Island Under-8 Chess Championship of the National Youth Chess Championship 2017.
The 8-year-old Chess prodigy recorded the triumph last week at the D.S. Senanayake College Courts in Colombo.
Gaveshika, a bright student and a keen sportsperson, opened her paths to take part in the two important international events to be held later this year with the win. The World Cader Chess Championship will be held in Brazil while the Commonwealth Chess Championship is set to take place in India later this year. In addition, Gaveshika will also take part in the West Asian Chess Championship later this year where Sri Lanka is set to play host.
“I am delighted with this achievement and I have to thank all who supported me. My coach Rajinda Kaugampitiya, the Principal of Gothami Girls School, teachers, and my colleagues, friends and my parents, who were always backing me in everything,” an elated Gaveshika stated.
The youngster also has impressed on her way to glory from a very young age. She set foot to her continuous streak of victories by claiming third place in Under-8 age category at the Kandy District Youth Rapid Chess Tournament last year followed by a second place at the All-Island Youth Rapid Chess Tournament in the same age group. Later on she won the Under-8 championships at the Kandy District Youth Chess Championship and Kandy District Blitz Chess Championship, both held in 2016.
She won 14 games out of 16 games as a member of Gothami Girls School Under-11 team in AllIsland, Provincial and District tournaments organised by Sri Lanka Schools Chess Association in 2016. She was also placed first in the Under-7 age category in Kandy District Tournament. Beginning this year Gaveshika kicked off to a successful season by placing third in the Under-8 age group at the Junior Nationals and qualified for the Asian Youth Chess Championship to be held in Uzbekistan before qualifying for two other international competitions.