The prize distribution ceremony of the Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championship, qualifying for the World Cup Chess and World Women's Cup Chess, was held in Colombo of Sri Lanka on Tuesday night, said a press release.
Bangladesh became the champion in both the open and women's categories and won the gold medal. Bangladesh also won the silver medal in the open category. Out of the total six medals, Bangladesh won two gold and one silver medal and Sri Lanka won two silver and one bronze.
International Master Manon Reja Neer of Bangladesh became the champion in the open group and got the opportunity to participate in the World Cup Chess to be held from October 31 to November 27. Neer is the youngest Bangladeshi player who will play in the World Cup Chess at the age of 15.
Woman FIDE Master Wadifa Ahmed is the champion in this year's women's category and will be awarded the title of women International Master. Wadifa Ahmed is the youngest woman International Master in Bangladesh. She will get the title at the age of 17.
The open category champion Neer received U$$ 1500 with trophy, runner-up FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia received U$$ 1000 with trophy, the 4th place finisher international master Mohammad Fahad Rahman received U$$ 300 and the 5th place FIDE Master Syed Mahfuzur Rahman received U$$ 200. Woman champion FIDE Master Wadifa Ahmed received a cash prize of U$$ 1000 with trophy. FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia also achieved a nine games IM norm from this event.
In the open category, forty players, including four international masters and six FIDE masters from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka while in the women's category, twenty-three players, including two female international masters and two female FIDE masters from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, participated in the meet. �"BSS
