Bangladesh Crowned Champions in Open and Women’s Sections of Asian Zonal Chess Championships
DHAKA, 18 March 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh successfully defended its titles by emerging as champions in both the open and women’s sections of the Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championships. The tournament, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, saw Bangladesh qualify for both the World Cup Chess and the Women’s World Cup Chess.
International Master (IM) Manon Reja Neer claimed the title in the open section, remaining unbeaten throughout the competition, while Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Wadifa Ahmed secured the women’s championship, also without suffering a loss.
IM Manon Reja Neer won the open section by securing seven points from nine games, while WFM Wadifa Ahmed also scored seven points from nine games to top the women’s section.
In the women’s section, both WFM Wadifa Ahmed and Woman International Master (WIM) Gunawardhana Devindya Oshini of Sri Lanka finished with seven points each. However, Wadifa Ahmed was declared champion based on a superior opponent’s average rating under the tie-break system.
As the zonal champion, IM Manon Reja Neer has earned the opportunity to compete in the World Cup Chess, scheduled to commence on 31 October. Similarly, WFM Wadifa Ahmed will receive the title of Woman International Master (WIM) and has secured direct qualification for the Women’s World Cup 2025, which will be held in Batumi, Georgia, in July.
In the open section, four players finished with 6.5 points each. Based on the tie-break system, FIDE Master (FM) Tahsin Tajwar Zia was named runner-up, while IM Liyanange Ranindu Dilshan of Sri Lanka finished third, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman secured fourth place, and FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman finished fifth. Additionally, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia achieved his second International Master (IM) norm from this tournament.
In the women’s section, WIM Rani Hamid secured seventh place with 5.5 points, WFM Noshin Anjum finished twelfth with 4.5 points, and Ashiya Sultana ended in twenty-second place with three points.
Meanwhile, in the open section, FM Sakline Mostafa Sajid and Kazi Afsan Rawnak Anan both finished in 22nd and 24th places, respectively, with 4.5 points each. Amit Bikram Roy secured 32nd place with 3.5 points, while Tanvir Alam finished 37th with three points.
The ninth and final round of both sections took place on Tuesday. In the open section, IM Manon Reja Neer drew against IM Liyanange Ranindu Dilshan, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia defeated Sri Lanka’s Nanayakkara Sanuk, and IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman triumphed over FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman. In the women’s section, WFM Wadifa Ahmed drew with WIM Rani Hamid, while WFM Noshin Anjum defeated WCM Jayasumdara Theruni of Sri Lanka.
A total of 40 players, including four International Masters, from Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka competed in the open section. In the women’s section, 23 players, including two Women’s International Masters, participated from the same nations.
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Bangladesh’s continued dominance in the Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championships highlights the country’s growing strength in the sport. IM Manon Reja Neer’s qualification for the World Cup Chess is a significant achievement, offering an opportunity to compete at the highest level. Similarly, Wadifa Ahmed’s elevation to Woman International Master (WIM) status marks a milestone in her career. With Bangladesh securing both titles, the country reinforces its position as a formidable force in South Asian chess.
