Neer champ in Asian Zonal Chess 3.2 Competition

Sports Reporter:

International Master Manon Reja Neer of Bangladesh became champion in the Asian Zonal Chess 3.2 Competition on Tuesday at Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Neer will play in the next World Chess Olympiad for Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Wadifa Ahmed of Bangladesh became champions of the Women’s Category on the same day. She settled for a draw with her compatriot Rani Hamid in the last round.

Neer made a draw with Sri Lankan chess player Dilshan in the last round, while International Master Fahad Rahman beat FIDE Master Emon in the last round. Neer emerged the champion with seven points.

Neer is a promising chess player. Last year he earned the International Master title. He bagged the International Master title earlier than Grandmaster Niaz Murshed. Last year Neer took part in the World Chess Olympiad in Hungary.

FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia lost to Neer in the eighth round. Tahsin Tajwar Zia is the son of late Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman. Tahsin Tajwar Zia, Dilshan of Sri Lanka and Fahad, Emon of Bangladesh collected six-and-half points each playing their respective nine round matches. Thus, the place was decided in the tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker, Tahsin became second and Dilshan of Sri Lanka finished third.

Tahsin achieved his second norm for International Master. He has to collect third norm and 2400 rating points to achieve the International Master title.