Lake Wendouree’s Vineetha Wijesuriya won the woman’s amateur championship of the 2012 Asian Amateur Titles in Sydney recently.

The 42-year-old was named an Asian Master, collected a trophy and medal and won $400 for her efforts.

Last year, Ms Wijesuriya was named the best female player at the Victorian Open Chess Championships, with her most recent win proving her talent does not remain idle.

The chess champion starting playing at the age of nine, after her sister won a chess board in a competition in Sri Lanka.

Ms Wijesuriya went on to win 11 national chess championships in Sri Lanka — a local record — and has been playing internationally for 20 years.

All players with a rating of 2100 or below qualify for amateur status, which forms the basis for competitors at the amateur championships.

Ms Wijesuriya said this year an “international master” was granted special permission to play in the amateur rank, but she, too, was beaten by Ballarat’s superstar.

“I think that was my best win of the tournament,” she said.

“I’m very happy with how it all went — it was a very well organised tournament.”

Ms Wijesuriya has travelled to more than 30 countries across the world, all in the name of chess.

Her dedication to the game and commitment to practice for at least two hours a day has helped her win an impressive number of chess titles.

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