Umme Sabaina Sultana

Chess is one of the most significant games among popular acient games While there are differing opinions on its origins, historians generally agree that the game was first developed in the Indian subcontinent. It is believed that chess was played in Persia around 1,350 years ago. Later, it spread to various countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. The modern era of chess competitions began in the late 19th century, with the first World Chess Championship held in 1886.

American player Wilhelm Steinitz became the first world chess champion and is known as the "Father of Modern Chess." He held the title until 1894 when Emanuel Lasker defeated him and remained the world champion for a record 27 years (1894–1921).Since 1886, only 18 individuals have held the title of world chess champion. The 18th and current world champion is Gukesh D. Some of the most famous chess players in history include Bobby Fischer (a legendary American player), Anatoly Karpov (a Soviet champion who held the title for a long time), Mikhail Tal (famous for his aggressive play), and Magnus Carlsen (widely regarded as the greatest chess player in history, having achieved the highest Elo rating and winning world championships in classical, rapid, and blitz formats).

In the 19th century, chess clocks were introduced in international competitions, and today, players have a set time limit for their moves. Classical chess games can last up to six hours, while rapid and blitz formats are much faster-paced. The popularity of chess on computers grew significantly in the late 20th century. In 1997, for the first time, a computer program (Deep Blue) defeated the reigning world champion, Garry Kasparov. Online chess has since become widely popular worldwide. The International Chess Federation (FIDE), established on July 20, 1924, is the governing body for world chess competitions. Since 1966, July 20 has been celebrated as International Chess Day. In 1999, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized chess as an official sport, although it has not yet been included in the Olympics. However, FIDE organizes the Chess Olympiad every two years.As of 2021, there were 1,742 grandmasters (GMs) worldwide, with Russia, Germany, Ukraine, the United States, and India having the highest numbers. India currently has 86 grandmasters and two world champions. Ding Liren is China's first world chess champion and the highest-rated Chinese player in history.

Bangladesh has a rich history in chess, though it is often overshadowed by the popularity of cricket and football. The game’s origins in the Indian subcontinent also influenced Bangladesh. During the Mughal era, chess flourished as a royal game. Historical records suggest that Emperor Akbar himself played chess, then known as "Shatranj."

The pioneer of chess in Bangladesh was Kazi Motahar Hossain, who is respectfully referred to as the "Chess Guru." He won the All India Chess Brilliancy Competition in 1925 and later became the founding president of the All Pakistan National Chess Federation in 1969. After Bangladesh's independence, the national chess federation was formed, later becoming the Bangladesh Chess Federation (BCF), with Kazi Motahar Hossain as its first president. He played a key role in modernizing chess in Bangladesh.Since 1974, Bangladesh has been organizing national chess championships. In 1979, BCF became a member of FIDE. Since then, various national and international chess tournaments have been held. The International Masters Chess Tournament started in 1985. Some of Bangladesh's early notable players include Professor Abdur Razzak, Akmal Hossain, and K. M. Sakur.

From 1979 to 1982, Niaz Morshed won the national championship four times in a row. In 1987, at just 21 years old, he became Bangladesh’s first grandmaster and the fourth GM in all of Asia at the time. Bangladesh’s second grandmaster, Ziaur Rahman, earned the title in 2002. Later, Rifat Bin Sattar (2006), Abdullah Al Rakib (2007), and Enamul Hossain Rajib (2008) also became grandmasters.

Women in Bangladesh have also achieved significant success in chess. The first name that comes to mind is Rani Hamid, the country’s first female international master. She won the national women's chess championship six times between 1979 and 1984 and won the British Women's Chess Championship three times between 1982 and 1989. In 2015, she won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Chess Championship.

Another prominent female chess player is Shamima Akter Liza, a woman international master. She won the Bangladesh Women's Chess Championship in 2005, 2010, and 2014 and became the first Bangladeshi woman to compete in the World Women's Chess Championship in 2015. Sharmin Sultana Shirin, another woman international master, won the national title in 2009 and 2013.

Unfortunately, since 2008, Bangladesh has not produced any new grandmasters. The lack of proper sponsorship and support has led to a decline in the country’s chess achievements. However, despite these challenges, Bangladeshi players continue to achieve success at national and international levels.

Currently, Bangladesh's highest-rated chess players are Manon Reza Neer and Fahad Rahman. Manon, the country’s youngest international master, achieved the title at just 14 years old in 2024 by defeating an Indian international master in a Grandmaster Tournament in Hungary. He was also the first Bangladeshi player to compete in the World Rapid Chess Championship, with a FIDE rating of 2431 as of February 2025.

Fahad Rahman qualified for the 2019 Chess World Cup but was eliminated in the first round. As of July 2024, his FIDE rating was 2427. Manon and FIDE master Tahsin Tajwar Zia represented Bangladesh in the 2025 World Junior Chess Championship in Montenegro, where Tahsin scored six points and Manon secured 5.5 points after 11 rounds.

For Bangladeshi chess players to improve their FIDE ratings and achieve international success, regular participation in international tournaments is crucial. However, visa complications, lack of training, and inadequate sponsorships continue to be major obstacles. To develop chess further, Bangladesh must organize more national and international tournaments, creating opportunities for players to practice with foreign grandmasters.

Additionally, the country should introduce structured age-based training programs and resolve visa issues quickly to facilitate participation in international competitions. Financial support and sponsorships should be increased, and prize money should be raised to motivate players. The promotion of chess through media and social platforms is also essential for increasing its popularity.

If these issues are addressed, Bangladesh has the potential to regain its former chess glory and make a significant mark in international chess history.

The writer is a student of Department of Sociology, University of Rajshahi