AK Chess Academy

The final touch before the Commonwealth Chess Championship. Limited seats are available.

Fundraising Update for WIM Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana

I am delighted to share that we have raised Rs. 147,000 from ten generous contributors so far, steadily moving towards our target of Rs. 2,000,000. Thanks to your incredible support, we have already achieved nearly 7.5% of our goal.
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Clarification on Oshini’s Recognitions and Support

Since 2021, Oshini has received recognition and awards totaling Rs. 800,000 from the Sri Lanka Chess Federation. As an official representative, she has also benefited from participation in FIDE, ACF, and CFSL-organized tournaments and training programmes. These opportunities are a testament to Oshini’s consistent achievements, and similar benefits are extended to other qualified Sri Lankan players.
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Government and Institutional Assistance

In 2023, following our direct appeals to the Minister of Sports, Oshini and three other players were awarded Rs. 500,000 each for their 2022 accomplishments. There was a delay in communication regarding these allocations, resulting in the issuance of outdated cheques. However, after discussions with the Sports Director, we confirmed that the funds had been allocated and were still available, allowing all four players to receive their due amounts.
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Community and Private Sector Contributions

Oshini’s journey has also been supported by many private contributors. Most recently, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur enabled her to compete in Europe after reading about her achievements. Friends, family, and relatives have consistently supported her, and Indian organizers have facilitated her participation in high-level tournaments. Wycherley International School, Oshini’s alma mater, has also provided her with a full scholarship and financial assistance on several occasions.
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A Heartfelt Thank You

To everyone who has supported Oshini — whether mentioned here or not — my heartfelt gratitude goes out to you. Your contributions have been crucial in nurturing a world-class player and bringing pride to Sri Lanka. Without your unwavering support, this journey would not have been possible.
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Commitment to Transparency

I am committed to maintaining transparency throughout this fundraising effort. If there are any inaccuracies in my account, please feel free to reach out and correct me.
If you’d like to learn more about Oshini’s achievements, you can view her CV.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y9dDreU09SI3UANCVn61-l0K-jLlcfXx/view?usp=sharing

The Fundraising Project Details -
https://web.facebook.com/share/p/1CVMjd76wy/

Thank you once again for your generosity and encouragement!

🇱🇰 SUPPORT SRI LANKA’S WORLD CHAMPION CONQUER THE EUROPEAN STAGE!

Dear Friends and Well-wishers,

This photo captures a proud moment for Sri Lanka: WIM Oshini Gunawardhane, a true inspiration to our nation. In March 2026, Oshini was among the World Women’s Top 100, and today she is ranked 15th among U20 girls worldwide with a FIDE rating of 2340.

Our Ambitious Goal:
Oshini’s dream is to achieve a 2500 FIDE rating and earn the Grandmaster (GM) title before she turns 15. This is done by only one girl, Hou Yifan. Achieving this in nine months would be a historic milestone for Oshini and all of Sri Lanka.

To reach this goal, Oshini must compete in at least 10 elite European tournaments within this critical period, facing the world’s strongest players.

🌍 The Challenge:
Competing in Europe is essential for her development, but the expenses for travel, visas, and accommodation are significant. Our target is to raise Rs. 2,000,000 to fund her next European campaign.

📊 Progress Update:

Target Goal: Rs. 2,000,000
Raised So Far: Rs. 25,000 (Thank you to our first 4 donors!)
Balance Needed: Rs. 1,975,000
We call on all chess lovers, patriotic Sri Lankans, and corporate sponsors to help this young prodigy bring more glory to our nation. Every contribution brings her one step closer to making history.

💳 How You Can contribute:
Account Name: J.M.P.C.K. Rathnayaka (Oshini’s Mother)
Account Number: 200410090053
Bank: Nations Trust Bank, Ratnapura Branch

Contact for Verification:

WhatsApp: 071 231 2945 (Akila Kavinda - Coach)
Email: [email protected]
All donor identities will remain strictly confidential. Please send a snap of your transaction receipt via WhatsApp so we can track our progress.

Thank you for being part of Oshini’s journey to the top of the world! ♟️🏆

Finished a physical Chess camp successfully.
Training and Playing Nonstop 06hours.💪

🎯 Online Chess Workshops – Aiming for the Commonwealth Chess Championship! 🎯

Coach: Akila Kavinda

Take your chess skills to the next level! Join our specially designed online workshops, tailored for serious chess players preparing for the Commonwealth Chess Championship.

Workshop 01: For rated players 1400-1700
🗓️ Dates: 09th & 10th May
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
💰 Fee: Rs. 1,500 (1 day) | Rs. 2,500 (2 days)

Workshop 02: For rated players 1700-2100
🗓️ Dates: 09th & 10th May
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
💰 Fee: Rs. 2,000 (1 day) | Rs. 3,000 (2 days)

🔔 Final registration date: 08th May
All registered participants will be added to a WhatsApp group.

How to Register:

Fill out the Google form (attach your payment slip).
Recordings will be provided (available to watch for one week only).

Bank Details -
Name: K.A. Akila Kavinda Dhanushka Kumara
Commercial Bank, Alawwa
Account Number: 8188000783

👉 Google Form: https://forms.gle/GCS9HiHBKyW15Z3d8
📱 For more details: WhatsApp Text ONLY – 0712312045

Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best and enhance your chess strategies! ♟️

📣 Dreams in Danger: The Untold Reality of Sri Lanka’s Chess Champions

We celebrate when they win. We proudly share their photos holding trophies. But how many of us truly see the sacrifice—and the shameful lack of support—behind those victories?

Right now, Sri Lanka has four elite players with FIDE ratings above 2300: Ranindu, Susal, Oshini, and Harshana. They are on the verge of becoming Grandmasters, but they are fighting an uphill battle that no child or family should have to face alone.

Working closely with Oshini (World No. 1, Girls U15, and World 15th Girls U20 player), I see the heartbreaking reality every day. To compete at this level, the "cost" is staggering:

*200+ Days of International Travel: You cannot become a Grandmaster playing only at home. You must be on the road for more than half the year.

*75% Education Sacrifice: This is a full-time professional commitment. These talents must sacrifice the vast majority of their schooling to stay at the top.

*Parental Sacrifice: Behind these champions are parents who have abandoned their own careers to travel as full-time guardians.

The Dangerous Precedent:

If we fail to protect these players, we are setting a toxic example for every young student and parent in the chess community.

What is the message we are sending to the next generation? We are telling them: "Even if you become the best in the world, your country will not stand behind you." If a World Champion like Oshini is struggling to find a path forward, why would any young player aim for a GM or IM title? Why would any parent encourage their child to focus on chess? We are effectively telling our youth to give up on chess and focus only on traditional work because the sport has no future here.

A Call to Action:

We have already seen brilliant talents like Harshana forced to step away to focus on studies because the system failed to provide him a professional safety net.

"Good luck" messages cost nothing. Real work requires a system—corporate sponsorships, government stipends, and a structured path that doesn't force a child to choose between a future career and a world title.

It is time for the private sector and the authorities to step up. If we don’t support our champions today, we won't have any champions tomorrow. The clock is ticking. ⏳

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✨ SHINING BRIGHT ON THE NATIONAL STAGE! ✨

It’s an extraordinary moment for AK Chess Academy! We are bursting with pride as we celebrate the incredible achievements of our students at the Sri Lanka National Chess Championship 2026.

🥉 Yenuthi Sahamlee – 3rd Place (Women’s Section)
A massive congratulations to Yenuthi for securing a podium finish! Your passion and commitment to the game are evident in every move you make. This achievement is the hard-earned result of countless hours of practice and powerful determination.

🌟 Top-Tier Performances:
We also celebrate the brilliant play of:

CM Vinuka Wijerathne – 5th Place (Open Section)

WFM Devhara Palliyage – 5th Place (Women’s Section)

Securing a top-5 finish in the most competitive tournament in the country is a massive milestone. Your consistency and skill are truly inspiring!

🙏 A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Success on the board is never a solo journey. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to:

The Parents: For your unwavering support, sacrifices, and for being the backbone of these young champions.

The Coaches: For your dedication, guidance, and for sharpening the minds that dominated the board.

The Support System: To everyone who cheered, motivated, and stood by them throughout this intense championship.

This is just the beginning for all of you. We wish you nothing but the very best as you continue to climb the ranks in your future tournaments! ♟️💪🏆

♟️ Level Up Your Game: Online Chess Camp with Coach Akila Kavinda!

Are you stuck in the 1400-1700 rating bracket? It’s time to sharpen your edge. Join the number one chess trainer in Sri Lanka for an intensive workshop focused on Improving Tactical Vision.

📅 Schedule:

Dates: April 25th (Saturday) & 26th (Sunday)
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (IST)
Duration: 2 Sessions | 4 Hours total
Language: Sinhala 🇱🇰

💰 Special April Investment:

Early Bird (On or before April 23rd): Rs. 2,000
Late Registration (After April 23rd): Rs. 2,500

Note: Session recordings will be provided for 1-week access!

🚀 How to Register:
Send a WhatsApp message with your:

Name FIDE Rating / Birth Year

Don't miss this chance to learn from the best and start playing stronger chess!

Whatsapp Number - 071 231 2945

Happy Aluth Avurudu & Puthandu Vazthukal! 🎆 May your next move always be your best move. Cheers to a year of growth and brilliant tactics! 🏆

ලැබුවා වූ සිංහල හා දෙමළ අලුත් අවුරුද්ද සාමය, සතුට සපිරි වාසනාවන්ත වසරක් වේවා!

அனைவருக்கும் இனிய புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்! இந்த ஆண்டு உங்கள் வாழ்வில் சகல வளங்களும் பெருகட்டும்.

Our 3-day intensive chess camp concluded today successfully! ♟️
A total of 18 hours of high-level training completed with dedicated players rated over 1800.
Proud of the commitment and hard work shown throughout the camp—great progress made!