Youngest International Master of Bangladesh, Manon Reza Neer, became the champion of the first Pawn Power Blindfold Rapid Chess Tournament by defeating International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman 2-0 in the grand final.
The tournament took place at Pawn Power Chess Club on Saturday. The event created a lively and joyful atmosphere as some of the country’s top chess players gathered to compete. This was the first time Bangladesh hosted a blindfold rapid chess tournament of this scale.
The competition featured top players including International Masters Fahad Rahman and Manon Reza Neer. Other participants included International Master Abu Sufian Shakil, young FIDE Master Zia Tahsin Tajwar, FIDE Master Saklain Mostafa Sajid, and promising young player Rayan Rashid Mughdho.
Every blindfold match was highly competitive. Players demonstrated deep calculation, strategy, attacks, defense, and counterattacks. The tournament showed that chess could be exciting and played brilliantly even without seeing the board. Bangladesh’s young talents impressed with their skill and focus.
In the main round, International Master Fahad Rahman led the points table. International Master Neer, however, won a tiebreaker against Tahsin and Saklain to secure a place in the grand final.
In the first match of the final, Fahad had a strong position but lost after a critical mistake. In the second match, Neer displayed his skill in the middlegame and won the match. This victory made him the champion of Bangladesh’s first blindfold chess tournament, while Fahad Rahman finished as runner-up.
At the prize ceremony, Labonno wife of the late Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman and advisor to Pawn Power Chess Club, awarded trophies and prize money to the winners. The event was also attended by the club president International Master Abu Sufian Shakil, vice-president Mahbubur Rashid, and office secretary Sadat Ibne Sultan.
FIDE Master Naim Haque provided live commentary throughout the tournament. The event’s arbiter was national arbiter and club joint secretary Maksudur Rashid.
The tournament was a well-organized event that highlighted the talent of Bangladesh’s chess players.
