Who Sumali is
Sumali was a rakshasa lord who, with his brothers Mali and Malyavan, once ruled Lanka until they were driven down to the netherworld. Seeing the splendour of Kubera, son of the sage Vishravas, he sent his daughter Kaikasi to Vishravas so that she might bear a son as mighty. From that union were born Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Shurpanakha and Vibhishana, and Sumali urged the young Ravana to win back Lanka for the rakshasas.
“I waited an age to see Lanka ours again. I can wait out your plans too.”
How Sumali plays chess
A long-term schemer: plays slow, positional chess, setting up a plan whose fruits come many moves later.
The Classicist: Sound, balanced chess: develops, castles and takes what the position offers.
Opening repertoire: Hedgehog Defence · Queen's Indian Defence · Benko Gambit
Defeat Sumali in a full game from the normal starting position to earn the achievement The Long Plan Foiled and open the way to the next guardian.
Sources
- Valmiki Ramayana, Uttara Kanda
Placement on the path reflects chess difficulty only — a game-design choice, not a ranking of anyone's spiritual standing.