Fahad earns 2nd GM Norm in Turkey

International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh achieved a Grandmaster (GM) norm in the Fubi Academy Norm Chess Competition in Istanbul, Turkey.

He fulfilled all the conditions for achieving the GM Norm by getting 7 points in 9 games.

Along with getting the GM Norm, Fahad also became the champion in the tournament.

Three GM Norms and a 2500 rating are required to become a Grandmaster. Fahad currently achieved two GM Norms and a rating point of 2450.

He earned a GM Norm for the first time at the Hanoi Grand Masters Chess Tournament in Vietnam in March 2024. Fahad hopes to become a GM within this year.

He said, “I am in fairly good form now. If I can play a few more tournaments, I can get another norm quickly.

I have a ticket booked to go to Mongolia on the 27th of this month. Now it depends on getting a visa.”

On Wednesday, in the eighth round, International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman defeated International Master Pour Agha Bala Amirreza of Iran, who has a rating point of 2453.

Fahad needed a draw in the last round to get the Norm. Fahad drew with International Master Nigalidze Guyoz of Georgia.

Playing against International Master Guyoz’s Sicilian Defense with white pieces, he drew in 10 moves.

A total of 10 chess players, including 3 Grand Masters, 4 International Masters, 2 FIDE Masters and one Candidate Master from Bangladesh, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Poland and Turkey, participated in the event held in a round robin league format.

Pakiza Knit Group provided financial support to International Master Fahad Rahman to participate in three international competitions held in Istanbul, Turkey.

Bangladesh has five Grandmasters. Out of the five, only Niaz Murshed is active only in chess.

Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman, who was the most active in chess, died while playing the National Chess Championship in 2024.

Grandmaster Reefat Bin Sattar is busy with professional work and Abdullah Al Rakib has been away from chess for a long time.

Enamul Hossain Razib is staying in England for his wife’s higher education.