Dhaka, 10 March 2025 (BSS): The Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championship, featuring both the open and women’s categories, is set to commence tomorrow (Tuesday) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The prestigious tournament serves as a qualifying event for the World Cup Chess and Women’s World Cup.
Bangladesh Contingent in the Tournament
A total of 12 players from Bangladesh will be competing in both the open and women’s divisions.
Open Section:
- Manon Reja Neer (National Champion, International Master)
- Mohammad Fahad Rahman (National Runner-up, International Master)
- Tahsin Tajwar Zia (FIDE Master)
- Sakline Mostafa Sajid (FIDE Master)
- Syed Mahfuzur Rahman (FIDE Master)
- Tanvir Alam
- Kazi Afsan Rawnak Anan
Women’s Section:
- Noshin Anjum (Woman FIDE Master)
- Rani Hamid (Woman International Master)
- Wadifa Ahmed (Woman FIDE Master)
- Ashiya Sultana
Significance of the Tournament
The winners of the open and women’s categories will earn direct qualification for the World Cup Chess and Women’s World Cup, respectively. Additionally, the championship provides opportunities for players to achieve prestigious chess titles, including:
- International Master (IM) and Woman International Master (WIM)
- FIDE Master (FM) and Woman FIDE Master (WFM)
- Candidate Master (CM) and Woman Candidate Master (WCM)
Players can also secure IM and WIM norms, which contribute towards earning these elite titles.
Tournament Format
Both the open and women’s divisions will follow a nine-round Swiss-League system, a format commonly used in competitive chess to ensure a fair and balanced tournament structure.
Bangladesh’s Chess Legacy and Future Prospects
Bangladesh has a strong history in regional chess, with players like Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman, Enamul Hossain Rajib, and Rani Hamid making significant contributions. The current squad aims to follow in their footsteps and elevate Bangladesh’s presence in international chess.
With a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, the Bangladeshi contingent will be aiming for strong performances and title achievements in this high-stakes tournament.