Bangladesh Chess Federation announced the Golden Jubilee of Independence Premier Division Chess League and First Division Chess League sponsored by Shah Cement. On the occasion of Premier Division Chess League and First Division Chess League, a press-briefing was held 9th March in the chess hall-room of old building of the National Sports Council. Follow us on Twitter and facebook.
Freedom fighter Brigadier General (Retd.) Shahidullah Chowdhury, ndc Executive Director of Abul Khair Group, KM Shahidullah, Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation, Syed Shahab Uddin, General Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation, Masudur Rahman Mallick Dipu Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and International Arbiter Md. Haroon Or Rashid spoke on the occasion and raised the details of the two chess leagues this time.
The 11-day chess league will be played in a round robin league format. The Premier Division Chess League is a team chess event. 12 teams are participating in which 2 teams have been promoted from the first division chess league of 2021. The teams are: Last year’s Champion Bangladesh Police and Runner-up Shahin Chess Club, Saif Sporting Club, Uttara Central Chess Club, Bangladesh Biman, Titas Club, Bangladesh Navy, Sheikh Russell Chess Club, Janata Bank Officer Welfare Society, Leonine Chess Club, Rupali Bank Krira Parosad (promoted to first division) and Manha’s (promoted to first division chess league).
The bottom two teams from the 12 participating teams will be relegated to the first division. Money prizes, trophies and medals will be awarded to the champions, runners-up and third place team of this year’s Premier Division Chess League. In addition, players will be given board awards based on the performance of each board.
This time 18 Grandmasters are participating for different teams including 5 Grandmasters from Bangladesh, 11 Grandmasters from India, 1 Grandmaster from Georgia and 1 Grandmaster from Iran. 6 international masters are participating, including 3 international masters from Bangladesh and 3 international masters from India.
A total of 22 foreign players, including 20 from India, one from Georgia and one from Iran, are taking part in the Premier Division. Last year’s champion Bangladesh Police is represented by India’s National Champion and Tata Steel Chess ‘B’ Group Champion Grandmaster Erigasi Arjun (Rating-2660), India’s National Runner-up Grandmaster D Gukesh (Rating-2614), Bangladesh’s two Grandmasters Ziaur Rahman and Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib, International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman and FIDE Master Mehdi Hasan Parag.
Saif Sporting Club is represented by Iran’s Grandmaster Idani Pouya (Rating-2621) and Georgia’s Grandmaster Mochidlishbali Mikhail (Rating-2584), three Grandmasters of the country Niaz Morshed, Enamul Hossain Razib and Reefat Bin Sattar and FIDE Master Md. Taibur Rahman. Grandmaster of India Abhimanyu Puranik (Rating-2618) and Grandmaster Mitrava Guha (Rating-2526)
In Bangladesh Biman are Grandmaster Narayanan Srinath (Rating-2553) and Grandmaster Sankalp Gupta (Rating-2537).
In Rupali Bank Krira Parisad are Grandmaster Diptayan Ghosh (Rating-2541) and Grandmaster Shyam Sundar (Rating-2526) in Sheikh Russell Chess Club, Grandmaster Mandonka Leon Luke (Rating-2536) and GM Harsha Bharthakoti (Rating-2499).
In Manha’s Castle are Indian International Master Aditya Mittal and International Master V Pranav at Shahin Chess Club, International Master Bharat Shuvramaniam and FIDE Master Nitish Velukar at Uttara Central Chess Club, Grandmaster Himanshu Sharma of India and International Master Nabirshah Sheikh at Titas Club .
In the first round match tomorrow, Rupali Branak Krira Parishad will play with Saif Sporting Club, Uttara Central Chess Club will play with Bangladesh Navy, Titas Club will play with Leonine Chess Club, Shahinn Chess Club will play with Janata Bank Officer Welfare Society, Bangladesh Police will play with Manha’s Castle and Sheikh Russell Chess Club will play with Bangladesh Biman.
At the same time, the first division chess league is starting from tomorrow (Thursday) in the chess hall-room room of Bangladesh Chess Federation. 12 teams are participating in the first division. The teams are: 1. Sonali Bank Sports and Recreation Club, 2. Access Chess Club, 3. Sultana Kamal Smriti Sangsad, 4. Dhaka Chess Club, 5. Esoft Arena Chess Club, 6. Khelaghor Daba Sangah, Gopalganj, 7. Agrani Bank Chess Team, 8. Mir Chess Club, 9. Basir Memorial Chess Club, 10. Kasparov Chess Club, 11. Journalist Shahnoor Khan Smriti Sangsad and 12. Palli Sanchay Bank.
The first division chess league game will also be held in a round robin league system. The top two teams will advance to the Premier Division and the bottom two teams will relegate to the second division. The three winners of the First Division Chess League will be awarded trophies, medals and cash prizes. Board awards will also be given for personal results. Apart from Bangladeshi players, 18 Indian players are participating in the first division chess league. 4 international masts in the first division chess league.
Tomorrow (Thursday) in the first round of the first division of chess: Palli Sanchay Bank will play with Agrani Bank Chess Team, Kasparov Chase Club will play with Basir Memorial Chase Club, Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar will play Esoft Arena, Sangbadik Shahinoor Khan Smirity Sangsad will play with Khelaghor Daba Sangah of Gopalganj, Dhaka Chase Club will play with Mir Chase Club and Access Chess Club will play with Sonali Bank Sports Recreation Club.