The iconic words of Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben, ‘With great power comes great responsibility, ’ could well apply to Bangladesh’s next generation of chess prodigies. From Narayanganj to Dhaka, from Milan to remote neighbourhoods of the capital, a remarkable group of teenagers and even pre-teens is rewriting the country’s chess story. They have immense talent, sky-high ambition and, like any comic hero, formidable obstacles to overcome. Yet their determination suggests Bangladesh’s future in world chess has never looked brighter.
For years, Bangladesh’s chess scene has relied on a handful of established stars such as Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman and GM Niaz Morshed. Now, a younger wave is emerging, kids barely in their teens, talking about Grandmaster titles, defeating world champions online, and chasing world records. Their journeys offer hope that the country can one day rival chess powerhouses like India, provided they get the right support.
Manon Reja Neer: chasing GM status by 16
At just 14 years and 3 months, Manon Reja Neer became Bangladesh’s youngest International Master, breaking Niaz Morshed’s longstanding record. His undefeated triumph at the 48th National Championship in July 2024, holding his own against three Grandmasters, announced him as a player for the future. By September, he was battling and beating seasoned internationals at the Chess Olympiad, his FIDE rating soaring past 2400.
But Neer insists his journey has just begun. “If I receive the necessary support and training, I’ll do everything I can to become a Grandmaster within the next two years,” he says. His ultimate ambition? Becoming a world champion.
Neer openly talks about the gulf between Bangladeshi players and their foreign counterparts: the limited sponsorship, lack of professional training and the societal apathy towards chess careers. He still recalls with gratitude the late GM Ziaur Rahman’s mentorship of 12 days of training that left a profound impact. “Even our Grandmasters struggle to get proper support. How can parents then push their children towards chess?” he asks. Yet his own rise proves what’s possible, and his name already inspires those even younger than him.
Rayan Rashid Mugdho: the nine-year-old who beat Magnus
If Neer symbolises teenage promise, Dhaka’s Rayan Rashid Mugdho shows how early genius can appear. On 18 January, at just nine years old, Mugdho defeated five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen in a one-minute bullet game on Chess.com. “I was starstruck when I realised it was Magnus, but I didn’t back down. After he made a mistake with his queen, I knew I was in a strong position,” he recalls.
Mugdho’s story is extraordinary. He could set up a chessboard at two, earned his FIDE rating at five, a world record at the time, and he spends nearly 12 hours a week training. He has already beaten players far above his age group, including a FIDE Master. His coach, FM Nayem Haque, calls his potential “immense”, though there are hurdles. Exhaustion cost him medals in Thailand; his family struggles to fund his tournaments. “Quality coaching is expensive, and so is participating internationally,” his uncle Maksudur says.
Like Neer, Mugdho dreams big: “I want to break Neer’s record and become an IM by 12. Ultimately, I want to be a world champion.” His Magnus victory made headlines worldwide, but his family hopes the fame translates into sponsors. The talent is undeniable; the challenge is giving him the resources to thrive.
Wadifa Ahmed: Aiming for Bangladesh’s first woman GM
Bangladesh has never produced a Woman Grandmaster, but 16-year-old Wadifa Ahmed wants to change that. Born in Milan and now representing Bangladesh Navy, she recently won the women’s section of the Asian Zonal 3.2 Championship in Colombo, earning the Woman International Master title. She is three norms away from becoming a WGM and has a packed schedule of events in the UAE, the Western Asia Junior Championship in Colombo and the Women’s World Cup in Georgia.
“The pieces fascinated me from the time I was little,” said Wadifa. “I picked up the game just by watching my father and sister play at home.” She skipped the usual Woman Candidate Master step and earned her Woman FIDE Master title directly in 2023, having already taken part in 13 tournaments since 2018.
Like the other young stars, the steep cost of the sport is her biggest challenge. “Each overseas event needs around Tk 3–4 lakh,” she explained. “My dream is to secure the Woman Grandmaster title before sitting my SSC exams, if Allah wills. But without sponsors or the chance to train under a top-level coach, it’s a tough ask.” The Bangladesh Chess Federation has assured her of some foreign training before the World Cup, and Wadifa hopes they will deliver. Her goals are lofty, and her recent performances show she has the talent to match them.
Warsia Khusbu: Breaking barriers at 13
The youngest of this new wave is Dhaka’s 13-year-old Woman Candidate Master Warsia Khusbu. She has already won 14 medals, six gold, five silver, three bronze, since starting competitive chess in 2018, and meets the rating criteria for Woman International Master with 2005 points. Like Wadifa, she dreams of becoming Bangladesh’s first Woman GM.
But Khusbu’s journey also showcases the deeper barriers girls in Bangladesh face in pursuing chess. Her father has been unemployed for over a year; she has no personal coach and no assurance from the federation about being selected for overseas events, even though she qualifies. “People keep telling me to be patient, that my time will come,” Khusbu said. “But empowerment isn’t about waiting politely; it’s about taking your chance when you’re ready. As long as girls are told to stay quiet and settle for less, we’ll keep falling short of producing a Woman Grandmaster.”
Her message goes beyond the 64 squares. She puts in around five hours of daily practice using whatever tools are available, showing a level of resolve that feels almost heroic. “My path may be tougher, but I haven’t lost hope. I’ll keep pushing until I reach my goal,” she vowed.
A bright horizon, if supported
Neer, Mugdho, Wadifa and Khusbu are different ages, from different cities, with different journeys. Yet their stories overlap: prodigious talent, relentless work, world-class ambitions and a glaring lack of structural support. Their rise is also not in isolation; they follow a tradition of Bangladeshi chess excellence from Niaz Morshed’s GM title in 1987 to Ziaur Rahman’s decades of service. But if Bangladesh wants to truly compete with nations like India, these kids cannot be left to fight alone.
The potential is there. A nine-year-old beating Magnus Carlsen; teenagers already IMs and WIMs; girls ready to shatter glass ceilings. With proper coaching, funding and media attention, Bangladesh could have multiple Grandmasters men and women within a few years. Without it, the country risks losing an entire golden generation.
