DHAKA, 12 March 2025 (BSS) – Four Bangladeshi chess players—International Master (IM) Manon Reja Neer, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, FIDE Master (FM) Tahsin Tajwar Zia, and FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman—are jointly leading the open section of the Asian Zone 3.2 Chess Championship with a perfect score of two points after the second round of matches held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday evening.
They share the top position with IM G. M. H. Thilakarante and Wijerrathna Vinuka Dihain of Sri Lanka, along with FM Mohammad Shuaau of the Maldives.
In the women’s section, Bangladesh’s veteran International Woman Master (WIM) Rani Hamid also leads with a maximum of two points, sharing the top spot with three Sri Lankan players. Meanwhile, Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Noshin Anjum and WFM Wadifa Ahmed have secured 1.5 points each.
Second Round Match Results:
Open Section:
- IM Manon Reja Neer defeated Wickramasinghe V. W. A. Vinuda Vidm (Sri Lanka).
- IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman overcame Sivathanujan (Sri Lanka).
- FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia triumphed over Candidate Master (CM) Amarasinghe A. A. C. B. (Sri Lanka).
- FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman defeated Samaranayake Pamok Methdinu (Sri Lanka).
- FM Sakline Mostafa Sajid won against Janukshan B. (Sri Lanka).
- Amit Bikram Roy drew with Sathsindu W. M. Minura (Sri Lanka).
- Tanvir Alam defeated Sanviru G. H. A. Dulnith (Sri Lanka).
Women’s Section:
- WIM Rani Hamid defeated Yeshey Lhaden (Bhutan).
- WFM Noshin Anjum drew against WCM Pallie Ehsha Mishela (Sri Lanka).
- WFM Wadifa Ahmed won against Sutharsan Mithura (Sri Lanka).
- Ashiya Sultana defeated WCM Zenobia Wasif (Pakistan).
Additional Context:
The Asian Zone 3.2 Chess Championship serves as a crucial qualifier for the prestigious Chess World Cup, making each match significant for players aiming to secure a place on the international stage. Bangladesh has a strong history in regional chess, with players like IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman and WIM Rani Hamid consistently making an impact in tournaments. The continued success of Bangladeshi players in this event highlights the nation’s growing presence in competitive chess.
