Bangladeshi Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman Passes Away During National Chess Championship

Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman, a well-known figure in Bangladeshi chess, passed away while playing the 12th round of the National Chess Championship. Rahman was paired against Grandmaster Enamul Hossain, he collapsed during the game. He was immediately taken to the hospital but sadly afterwards, the doctors declared him dead.

Ziaur Rahman, born on May 1, 1974, was the second Bangladeshi to acquire the Grandmaster title, which he obtained in 2002. He also has the highest FIDE rating ever obtained by a Bangladeshi chess player, which was 2570 in October 2005. Zia received his International Master title in 1993.

Ziaur Rahman made history with his son, FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia, when they became the first father-son duo to represent Bangladesh at the 44th Chess Olympiad.

Bangladesh's chess community is grieving the passing of one of its best brains. Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman's contributions to the sport and legacy will be recognized for many years to come.