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Mr. Nigel Metge has been elected President of the New Zealand Chess Federation.

Murray Chandler retired from his role as President of NZCF after several years of service as a Councillor and a further five years as President. The board of the NZCF gave him a round of applause for his enormous contribution to New Zeland chess in the varied roles of player, organizer, fundraiser, author, publisher and leader.

Nigel Metge spoke of his start as a chess player in 1970 playing in the NZCF Congress. Nigel recalled playing GM Murray Chandler in 1975 in Dunedin and thanked Murray again for his contribution to NZCF, chess in New Zealand and chess around the world

Nigel spoke of the increasing diversity in chess players – both in age and gender, The interaction and communication with clubs is an important element of the work of NZCF, he said adding that increased communication with clubs was a priority for his Presidency.

Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage of Ananda College, the reigning National Chess Champion showed that he is the strongest after the first tie breaker, the Rapid Games happened since the Classical Games ended in equal points with two draws with Minul Sanjula Doluweera of Royal College. Minul started with white in the 1^st round and opened with the queen’s Gambit to end the round with a tame draw. In the 2^nd round Ranindu started with e4 and Minul’s answer was Carro Khann defense, c6. Ranindu replied with advance e4 and again agreed to a draw in the 28^th move. In photo above, Ranindu receives his award from Sri Lanka Chess Federation president Luxman Wijesuriya.

Generally accepted fact was Ranindu is better in faster Chess. He proved himself better by scoring a win in the 1^st Rapid game and giving a draw with a winning position in the 2^nd Game. Ranindu Dilshan Liynage became the Champion of the 8^th Sri Lanka  Chess Grand Prix 2021 and earned Rs 50,000/= with the Trophy and the Gold Medal. Minul (in photo above) had to satisfy himself with Rs. 30,000/= and the Silver Medal. He was awarded the winner Trophy for the preliminary Round Robin event.

In the Consolation finals Theekshana Denuwan of Ananda College beat S Sivathanujan in the 1^st game and drew in the 2^nd round to earn Rs. 20,000/= and the Bronze medal. Being 4^th. S Sivathanujan of Kokavil Hindu College, being the 4^th received Rs. 10,000/=.

A total of 12 leading Chess players participated in the 8th Sri Lanka Chess Grand prix 2021which was held from 28th January to 7th February 2021was conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka with the strict health guidelines. The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka had offered a cash award of Rs. 110,000/= to the winners with other attractive awards. The Prize Distribution was held on 7^th of February 2021, just after the Finals with Mr. Luxman Wijesuriya, the President of the Chess Federation as the chief guest.

The games can be seen from the following link:

Link Consolation Finals (8th Sri Lanka Chess Grand Prix – 2021 [Consolation Finals]) Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#fca060b0-f721-4f8b-a327-deff353e135e

Finals (8th Sri Lanka Chess Grand Prix – 2021 [Finals]) Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#09a04af5-b700-4985-a48b-5b2deec7bf30

A live coverage was arranged at the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka YOUTUBE Channel with commentaries from Dulan Edirisinghe, a former National Chess Champion and KA Akhila Kavinda, a National Team Player..

By Marlon Bernardino. Cavite Spartans defeated Antipolo Cobras, 2-1, in the rescheduled Armageddon to continue their winning ways in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) in the battle of the Northern Division’s on Friday (February 5, 2021) on online tournament at the lichess platform.
A week after battling to a 10.5-all tie in regulation, the Spartans toppled Cobras in the lower boards tiebreaker rounds to go up to 5 wins and 5 loses.
Kevin Arquero displayed some endgame brilliance to even come close to mating United States Master Rodolfo “Jun” Panopio Jr. in their Board 2 clash, forcing the latter to resign before the former pulled off checkmate after 55 moves of Trompovsky Opening.
Ricky Batcho, meantime toppled Mc Daniel Ebao after 45 moves of Caro-Kann defense in their Board 3 ecounter.
United States Master Jose “Jojo” Aquino Jr. upset International Master Petronio Roca after 27 moves of a Semi-Slav defense in the top board to prevent a possible shut-out loss for the Cobras.
“We hope we can maintain the momentum.” said coach Ederwin Estavillo.
The Spartans backed up by Rep. Jon-Jon A. Ferrer, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Panga and Skin Magical Dist4 ,CARSIGMA Cavite is coming off twin wins over the Cagayan Kings, 12.5-8.5, and the Isabela Knight Raiders, 12-9, last Wednesday (February 3, 2021).-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General Tereso O. Panga (left) ponder his next moves against International Master Petronio Roca

Dewmini Kodikara (photo above) of Musaeus College won the Championship with the better tie break after a three way tie with Chanindi Mewna Attanayake (photo below left) of Devi Balika Vidyalaya and Desandi Dihansa Gamage (photo below right) of Sirimavo Bandaranayake Vidyalaya scoring 7 points each out of possible 8 games.

Dewmi beat Hasara Madugalle, Sasmi Sithumsa, Chanindi Mewna Attanayake, Oshini Gunawardena, Sanidula Dahamdi, Tenuli Dahamna Rathnayake and Gaveshi Wickramaratne and only lost to Esandi Newansa in the 6^th round. So, the Dewmini Kodikara gets the Championship with the gold medal.

Chanindi Mewna Attanayake beat DGKC Godagama, Uthpala Amarathunga, Nethupama Gamarachchi, Sanulya Edirisinghe, LHMGS Somarathne, Dulinma Rathnayake and Oneli Vithanawasam while only losing to the winner. She is getting the Silver Medal of the event. Desandi Dihansa Gamage also had a remarkable performance scoring 7 wins against Chanudi Jayasinghe, Senuthi Nithinsa, Ranudi Jayasinghe, Uthpala Amarathunga, Suheli Fernando, Oneli Weerawardena and Esandi Newansa in the last round to win the Bronze Medal. She was unfortunate to lose the 2^nd round game to Chanthuli De Silva.

CFSL Online Youth Girls under 14 Years Chess Championship 2021 was conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka on 6^th and 7^th of February which was played at the Chess.com flatform with 8 rounds on Swiss System. The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka has offered attractive awards and a virtual Closing Ceremony is arranged on Monday, the 8^th of February 2021 evening.

Each player got 15 minutes per game and 10 seconds increment in each move played. A total of 104 girls from all over the country participated in this event which is played under strict anti-cheating regulations. The players were allowed to play with laptops or Desktops placed to look at a wall in an isolated room. Players were not allowed to stand when games are in progress and were informed to look at the screen of the computer directly. Any one was not allowed to enter the room while playing. All these regulations were observed by arbiters through an open Zoom meeting running throughout the game with camera and microphones open. Task bar was also shared in the zoom to see whether any other programs were running. The game were sent to expert checking after each round. If any player is found guilty in cheating severe penalties are announced.

The Chess Federation is planning to organize the Under 12, 16 and 8 years Online Youth Chess Championships in the near future.

Rowelyn “Kajoy” Joy Acedo topped the All Women’s Invitational Elimination Round Blitz Chess Arena online chess tournament held via lichess.org on Sunday, February 7, 2021.
Acedo, who helped De La Salle University (DLSU) capture the women’s chess team gold medal on top of her bagging the board 3 gold in the 2015-2016 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 chess competition,  leaned on her vast experience to nail the title of the chessfest sponsored by Euro Gaming Consultant/Sportsman Kim Zafra, Director of the organizing Bayanihan Chess Club.

Acedo, the pride of Davao City, amassed a total of 13 points after 16 matches in the 17-player field, earning a P2,000 cash prize in the 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment time control format in this one-day event, supported by Palawan Queen’s Gambit, MedPublika PCR Testing Machines, in coordination with United Queens Chess Club, Deorico De Paz youtube channel, Cabuyao City Chess Club and Jolina Icao youtube channel.

For winning the elimination round, Acedo will play in a one-on-one match, P25,000 winner take all tournament on Valentines day, either Mr. Kim Zafra, Candidate Master Genghis Imperial or Al Basher “Basty” Buto.
Acedo’s big wins were against Lexie Grace Hernandez (round 1), WCM Christy Lamiel Bernales (round 2), WIM Kylene Joy Mordido  (round 3), Jerlyn Mae San Diego (round 4), WFM Allaney Jia Doroy (round 5), WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito (round 10), WCM Mira Mirano (round 11), WFM Cherry Ann Mejia (round 12), AIM Alexandra Sydney Paez (round 14), WFM elect Antonella Berthe Racasa (round 15) and Rohanisah Buto (round 16).
Acedo, halved the point with April Joy Claros (round 6), WNM Francois Magpily (round 7), WIM Bernadette Galas (round 8) and WNM Jean Karen Enriquez (round 13). She tasted her lone defeats at the hands of WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda (round 9). -Marlon Bernardino-
Final Standings: (17 player field, 16 Round Swiss-System)
Champion: AGM Rowelyn Joy Acedo, 13 points
2nd: WCM Christy Lamiel Bernales, 12 points
3rd: WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, 11.5 points
4th: WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, 10.5 points
5th: Lexie Grace Hernandez, 10 points
6th: WFM Allaney Jia Doroy, 10 points
7th: WNM Francois Magpily, 9.5 points
8th: WIM Kylene Joy Mordido, 9 points
9th: WIM Bernadette Galas, 9 points
10th: WNM Jerlyn Mae San Diego, 9 points
11th:WNM Jean Karen Enriquez, 8.5 points
12th: WCM Mira Mirano, 7.5 points
13th: April Joy Claros, 7 points
14th: AIM Alexandra Sydney Paez, 7 points
15th: WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito, 5.5 points
16th: WFM elect Antonella Berthe Racasa, 3 points
17th: Rohanisah Buto, 2 points

The FIDE Trainers Commission has recognized the rise of chess in China by instituting the Liu Wenzhe Award to recognize their first coach. See FIDE Trainer Awards for 2020-2021

Liu Wenzhe (October 7, 1940 – September 20, 2011) was an International Master chess player. He was one of China‘s top chess trainers.

He was the first Chinese player to defeat a grandmaster (Nikolai Krogius in 1965) and the first to be awarded the title of International Master. He is considered a pioneer of chess in China and a founding father of the Chinese School of Chess. He won the Chinese Chess Championship in 1980 and 1982.

In total, Liu made three appearances at the Chess Olympiads (1978–1982) with an overall record of 37 games played (+14, =4, -19). He also made four appearances in total at the Men’s Asian Team Chess Championship (1979–1981, 1991–1993) with an overall record of 17 games played (+10, =4, -3).

In 1986 he was appointed to the post of Chief Trainer of the Chinese Institute of Chess and head coach of the Chinese national chess team. He was succeeded by Ye Jiangchuan in 2000.

In 2002-3, he wrote a seminal book on the “Chinese School of Chess” called the same name. In the book he charts the dramatic progress of Chinese players over the past 25 years.

After 10 straight wins, the Laguna Heroes team jumped to solo 3rd after beating Cordova Dagami Warrios, 16-5, at the start of the 2nd phase of elimination round of the Northern Division Professional Chess Association of the Philippines All-Filipino Cup at the lichess platform.

The Laguna Heroes composed of woodpushers two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, Vince Angelo Medina, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat and Team Owner-Playing Coach Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez (in photo above), proved steadier in the end to beat the determined Dagami Warrios team.

With their victory, the Laguna improved to a 11-2 win-loss record in the Northern Division PCAP All-Filipino Cup while Cordova dropped to 6-7 in the Southern Division.
“We have been treating each round like a championship round,” said Team Owner-Playing Coach Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez.

In the Blitz portion versus the Dagami Warrios, the Heroes started well via a 4-3 close decision wins from FM Literatus, GM Gomez, Medina and Bayangat.
However, they proved too tough for the Dagami Warrios in the Rapids as FM Literatus, WNM Enriquez, GM Gomez, Medina and Lorenzo convincingly beat Allan Pason, Woman International Master Bernadette Galas, Rex Androe Cabuncal, Francisco Rivera and Dione Patrick Minoza.

The Laguna Heroes also made up as Engr. Jonathan Mamari, Mr. Benjamin Dy and Mr. David Nithyananthan crushed Cebu City Machers, 20-1.

Only National Master Lincoln Yap was able to score for City Machers after beating FM Bagamasbad  in their blitz encounter.

The Laguna Heroes opened their bid in a high note after demolishing Rizal Batch Towers (17.5-3.5) last January 16.

The Laguna Heroes tasted their defeat at the hands of San Juan Predators (9-12) and Caloocan Loadmanna Knights (10-11) last January 20.
Then they beat Cavite Spartans (14-7) and Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 (18-3) last January 23; Pasig City King Pirates (12-9) and Antipolo Cobras (14-7) last January 27; Cagayan Kings (16.5-4.5) and Isabela Knight Raiders (11-10) last January 30; Manila Indios Bravos (11.5-9.5) and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe (19-2) last February 3.
The Laguna Heroes look to extend their winning streak Wednesday night (February 10, 2021) when they face Iloilo and Iriga.
Action will begin at 7pm (Manila time) with the Heroes facing the Kisela Knights first then the showdown against the City Oragons will be at 8:20PM.
Each player competes in blitz or rapid chess every match. A win in rapid chess is worth 2 points, while victory in blitz chess is 1 point. A draw in rapid chess is one point, while it’s half a point in blitz chess.
The 24-team tournament is organized by PCAP, headed by Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and President/Commissioner

Minul Doluweera (photo above) of Royal College won 1^st place in the Round Robin Event of the 8^th Sri Lanka Chess Grand Prix 2021 by making a draw with his schoolmate, Isara Banindu Dahanayake in the final Round played Saturday 6th February at the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka.

Minul tied with Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage (photo above) with 9 ½ points and won 1^st place on the better tie breaker. Both Minul and Theekshana had only three draws and won all other 8 games out of 11 possible. Ranindu Liyanage of Ananda College started the final round a half a point behind Minul and managed to beat Jude Dorison of Jaffna to reach Minul. He had to satisfy with the 2^nd place.

Earlier in the morning, the penultimate round both Minul and Ranindu scored full points against Elath athanga De Silva and Senuka Ashvin Ahangama respectively.

The game between Theekshana Denuwan (above left) of Ananda College and S Sivathanujan (above right) of Kokavil Hindu College ended in a draw leaving both players tied at 8 points each. Sivathanujan placed 3^rd on the better tie breaker while Theekshana had to satisfy himself with the 4^th place. In the 10^th round Sivathanujan beat Jude Dorison and Theekshana  beat Madushan Sameera Dissanayake.

The 8th Sri Lanka Chess Grand prix 2021 conducted by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka is in progress from 28th January 2021 to 7th February 2021 with the strict health guidelines. The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka has offered a cash award of Rs. 110,000/= to the winners with other attractive awards.

The 1^st four players are meeting each other as below in the Semi Finals to be played as a double round matches with alternative colours tomorrow. If a player reach 1 ½ points or more he will get in to the finals. If it becomes 1 point each then two Rapid Chess Games of 15 minutes + 10 seconds will be played. If a player get 1 ½ or more he will get through to the finals. But in any case if the Rapid Games are also tied 1 point each, two Blitz games with 3 minutes + 2 seconds will be played as same way as Rapid Chess. If any player wins 1 ½ or more he will be the winner to play the finals. If still a 1 – 1 draw, a Sudden Death game giving 5 minutes to White and 4 minutes to Black  will be played tossing for the colour. The winner will get through to the finals. Draw in a Sudden Death game means a win for Back.

Semi Final 1 – Winner, Minul Doluweera  Vs  4^th, HG Theekshana Denuwan

Semi Final 1 – Runner Up, Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage Vs 3^rd, S Sivathanujan

The finals will be played in the same manner as above on Sunday, the 7^th of February 2021 between the winners of the Semi Finals while losers will play the consolation finals.

All games in the Semi Finals and Finals are webcasted live in each round and a live streaming of Finals will be arranged at CFSL YOUTUBE Chanel with commentaries by Former National Champion, Mr. Dulan Edirisinghe and National Chess Player Mr. Akila Kavinda.

Final Round Results

Final Standings

Rk. Name Pts.

1. FM Doluweera Minul Sanjula   (Royal College)           9.5
2. CM Liyanage Ranindu Dilshan (Ananda College)       9.5
3. Sivathanujan S                         (Kokavil Hindu College) 8.5
4. Theekshana H G Denuwan        (Ananda College)      8.5
5. Liyanage Pesandu Rashmitha (DS Senanayake College) 7.0
6. De Silva Elath Mathanga           (IFS R&D International)  6.0
7. CM Dahanayake Isara Banindu (Royal College)      6.0
8. CM Amarasinghe A A C B        (USJP Chess Club) 4.0
9. Ahangama Senuka Aswin          (DS Senanayake College) 3.5
10. Nabil Nazar Mohamed               (Gateway College, Dehiwala) 2.0
11. Dorison G Jude                           (Jaffna)  1.5
12. Dissanayake D M Madushan Sameera (Super Fighters CC) 0.0

Live games can be seen from the following link:

Link https://view.livechesscloud.com#d822d527-92a7-42f9-aaed-29c5c4ae7c66

You may see a review of the 1st session at the CFSL YOUTUBE Chanel in the following link:

Link – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpjEJNqgPUdWXVRECJaJUDw

Due to Corona Virus Covid-19, the organization of the Youth Championship in Dhaka last March 2020 and all other over-the-board chess competition were stopped in Bangladesh and all over the world. Finally, from this year 2021 the Bangladesh Chess Federation adopted a plan to organise an over-the-board chess competitions in compliance with the health rules of the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

At left, Shafiqul Islam, BPM (Bar) and Brigadier General (Retd) Shahidullah Chowdhury.

To this end, the Mujib Year Invitational International Chess was held from 9 to 16 January 2021 under the auspices of Abul Khair Group. 44 invited players participated in the event including one Grand Master, 3 International Masters and 1 Woman International Master. The competition was inaugurated on January 9 by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam, BPM (Bar) as the chief guest. Brigadier General (Retd) Shahidullah Chowdhury, Executive Director of Abul Khair Group, was present as a special guest at the inaugural function. Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and President of FIDE Zone 3.2 spoke on the occasion presided over by KM Shahidullah, Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation.

At left, Zone 3.2 President Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, and KM Shahidullah.

GM Ziaur Rahman won the title with seven and a half points in nine games in the 9-round Swiss-League event.

GM Ziaur Rahman (right) vs. Anata Choudhury and IM Mohammad Minhaj Uddin vs. IM Fahad Rahman.

Anata Choudhury was runner-up with seven points and FM Mehdi Hasan Parag was third with six and a half points. IM Abu Sufian Shakil became fourth with six points and IM Mohammad Minhaj Uddin came fifth with same points. Nine players earned 5½ points each. Their positions are in tie-breaking: 6^th-IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman, 7^th-FM Sheikh Naser Ahmed, 8^th-FM Subrata Biswas, 9^th-Md. Shariatullah, 10^th-CM Sohel Chowdhury, 11^th-CM Tahsin Tajwar Zia, 12^th-FM Mohammad Javed, 13^th-CM Manon Reja Neer and 14^th-Md. Masum Hossain. Among the women, Rani Hamid got four and a half points and became the first among the female players. Ahmed Walija, Nazrana Khan Eva, Kazi Jarin Tasnim and Noshin Anjum received special women’s awards.

The prize giving ceremony of the competition was held at the Utsab Hall, Ground Floor, Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, which is a five star hotel in Dhaka city. Mr. Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP, Honorable State Minister, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was present as the Chief Guest and distributed prizes among the winners. Mr. Abdul Karim, ndc, Additional Secretary, Minister, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Government Republic of Bangladesh and Freedom fighter Brigadier General Shahidullah Chowdhury,ndc (Retd.) the Executive Director of Abul Khair Group were present as special guests. Mr. K M Shahidullah Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation presided over the ceremony. Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation & President, FIDE Zone-3.2 and Dr. Shoeb Reaz Alam, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and Additional DIG of Bangladesh Police gave speeches. Mr. Gazi Shayiful Tarique, former General Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and Masudur Rahman Mallick Dipu, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation were present on the stage. The winners of the competition were awarded a total of four thousand three hundred US dollars.

After successfully completing the Invitational International Rating Chess, the Mujib Borso Marcel 2^nd Division Chess League 2021 (photos above) was held from 20^th to 28th January 2021 under the auspices of Bangladesh Chess Federation and sponsored by Walton Group. The 2^nd Division Chess League this time with a huge response. A record number of 42 teams participated in the team chess event.

Earlier, the number of teams participating in the 2^nd Division Chess League was 33. Shahnoor Khan Smiriti Sangsad won 16 points in 9 matches in this year’s Marcel 2^nd Division Chess League held in 9 round Swiss League system. Sports Bangla got 15 points and became runners-up. Grassroots Sports Academy came third with 14 points and BD Chess in School became fourth with same points. Bangladesh Chess Arena (Green) came fifth with 12 points and Legend Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain Chess Team became sixth. Latif Travel Chess Club, Sylhet, Tangail Chess Club, Elegant International Chess Academy (Elite), Rangpur Chess Players Welfare Association, Arthur Yusupov Tanning Group and Bangladesh Police Prime Team secured seventh to twelfth position with 11 points each respectively.

F. M. Iqbal Bin Anowar

The Prize distribution ceremony of the event was held on 30^th January, 2021 at Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room. F. M. Iqbal Bin Anowar (Dawn) , Executive Director and Head of Games & Welfare of WALTON Group distributed prizes among winners as chief guest. IO Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and President, FIDE Zone 3.2 was present as special guest. K M Shahidullah Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation presided over the ceremony. Masudur Rahman Mallick Dipu, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and Secretary Chess League Committee, International Arbiter Md Haroon Or Rashid, Jakir Ahmed, Executive Member of Bangladesh Chess Federation, IO Mahmuda Hoque Chowdhury Moly, Executive Member of Bangladesh Chess Federation, Mohammad Amir Ali Rana. General Secretary of Association of Chess Players of Bangladesh and Shakil Abdullah of Bangladesh Chess Arena gave speeches in the ceremony.

Bangladesh Chess Federation decided to continue over the board chess events. Already they announced schedule of the WALTON 1^st Division Chess League-2021. It will be held from 25^th February to 7^th March, 2021.

K M Shahidullah Vice President of Bangladesh Chess Federation will preside over the ceremony. Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation, Dr. Shoeb Reaz Alam (at podim in photo above), Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and ADIG of Bangladesh Police gave speeches. Mr. Masudur Rahman Mallick Dipu, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation, Mr. Gazi Shayiful Tarique.