The Leonine 3rd Grandmasters Chess Tournament is currently underway in Dhaka, with several Bangladeshi players aiming to secure key title norms. International Masters Manon Reza Neer and Fahad Rahman, along with FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia, entered the event seeking Grandmaster norms, while FIDE Master Saklain Mostafa Sajib targeted an International Master norm.
After six rounds, Neer, Tahsin and Saklain are no longer in contention. Only Fahad remains in the race.
Fahad keeps hopes alive
The tournament consists of nine rounds, with seven points required for a GM norm and five-and-a-half for an IM norm.
After six rounds, Fahad stands alone in second place on four points. If he wins his remaining three matches, he will secure his second GM norm. To achieve the Grandmaster title, a player must earn three norms and reach a rating of 2500.
Any slip in the final rounds will end Fahad’s chances.
Neer, Tahsin and Saklain out of contention
International Master Monon Reza Neer drew with fellow IM Abu Sufian Shakil today, ending his final opportunity to chase a GM norm. Neer now has three points from six matches – even three wins would raise him only to 6.5, below the required mark.
FIDE Master Saklain Mostafa Sajib has two points. Even if he wins all remaining games, he would finish on five points, short of the IM norm threshold.
One of the tournament’s key organisers is Tasmin Sultana Labannya, wife of the late Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman. Their son, FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia, already holds three IM norms and will officially earn the IM title upon reaching a 2400 rating. He entered this tournament trying for a GM norm but, like Neer, failed to take advantage of the opportunity.
Indian players lead the chase for norms
India’s International Master Aryan Varsani tops the leaderboard with five points. He needs two more points from the final three rounds to earn a GM norm.
Another Indian player, FIDE Master Panisar Vedant, is also close to success – 1.5 points from his last three games would secure him an IM norm.
