Colombo: The Asian Zone 3.2 Chess Championship and women’s sections of the qualifying World Cup Chess and Women’s Cup Chess have commenced today in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as per a press release. In the initial round, notable victories were achieved by national champion and international master Manon Raja Neer, national runner-up and international master Mohammad Fahad Rahman, FIDE master Tahsin Tajwar Zia, and FIDE master Syed Mahfuzur Rahman in the open section. In the women’s section, woman FIDE master Noshin Anjum and woman international master Rani Hamid emerged victorious in their respective first-round matches.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, in the first round of the open section, IM Manon Reja Neer claimed victory over Karunasena Chanitha Sihas Dinisara of Sri Lanka, while IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman triumphed over Induwara Thisarindu. FIDE master Tahsin Tajwar Zia defeated Janukshan from Sri Lanka, and FIDE master Syed Mahfuzur Rahman bested Dandiniya, also from Sri Lanka. In the women’s section, FIDE master Noshin Anjum overcame Sindira Joshi of Nepal, and Rani Hamid defeated Nihaya Ahmed of Maldives.
In other matches, Amit Bikram Roy managed a draw with Galkotuwa of Sri Lanka in the open section. In the women’s division, woman FIDE master Wadifa Ahmed also drew her match against Palliyage Sathumalee Davhara of Sri Lanka. However, in the open section, FIDE master Sakline Mostafa Sajid lost to Ganepola Thushanu Yasmith, Kazi Afsan Rawank Anan was defeated by candidate master Wijerathna Vinuka Dihain of Sri Lanka, and Tanvir Alam lost to IM Liyanage Ranindu Dalishan of Sri Lanka. In the women’s division, Ashiya Sultana lost to Pallie Ehsha Mishela of Sri Lanka.
The tournament, structured in a nine-round Swiss-League format, features 39 players in the open division, including 4 international masters and 6 chess masters from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The women’s section comprises 23 players, including 2 women international masters and 2 women FIDE masters from the same countries. The open division champion will earn the opportunity to participate in the World Cup Chess, and the women’s division champion will qualify for the Women’s World Cup.
The tournament also serves as a platform to directly achieve titles such as international master, woman international master, FIDE master, woman FIDE master, candidate master, and woman candidate master. Additionally, participants can attain norms for international master and women’s international master titles from zonal chess.