Sri Lankan chess sensation, Susal de Silva, has created history by progressing to the Second Round of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan. The 17-year-old Nalanda College student will face a formidable opponent, Polish grandmaster Radoslaw Wojtaszek, in a highly anticipated two-day match, scheduled for today and tomorrow.
De Silva’s remarkable performance has earned him the distinction of being the first-ever player from Sri Lanka to advance to the World Cup Second Round in the history of Sri Lanka Chess. As the sole flag bearer for his nation, he has captured the hearts of chess enthusiasts across the country.
The FIDE World Cup, known for its prestige and substantial cash prizes, kicked off on July 20 and features a prize pool of 2.5 million USD for the winners.
Sajeewa Jayakody