February
19, 2001
Dhaka--(UNB) – The 5th United Insurance Grand Masters Chess tournament, a regular international chess meet of the country, begins today (Monday) at the National Sports Council conference room.
Seven Grandmasters, six International Masters and one FIDE Master from seven countries — Estonia, Russia, Latvia, Uzbekistan, England, India and hosts Bangladesh - will take part in the 13-round category-9 tournament.
All the players except top seed GM Jhan Elhvest of Estonia are already in the capital to compete in the top ranking chess meet of the country.
Elhvest is expected to reach here today (Monday).
Bangladesh Chess Federation general secretary Syed Sujauddin Ahmed disclosed the details of the tournament at a press conference at the NSC last (Sunday) evening.
Federation Vice-President Dr AR Khan, Treasurer Saleh Chowdhury and general manager of the meet sponsors United Insurance Company M Rafiqul Islam also spoke on the occasion.
The United Insurance Company, sponsoring the tournament for the fifth time, will meet the entire expenses of the tournament amounting to Tk 10 lakh.
The ceremonial draw of the tournament was held soon after the press conference yesterday in presence of the participants.
Participants: GM Jhan Elhvest (rating 2638, Estonia), GM Alexander Volzhin (2539, Russia), GM Meizis Normunds (2532, Latvia), GM Igor Rausis (2525, Latvia), GM Alexei Barsov (2500, Uzbekistan), GM Nigel Devies (2464, England), GM Niaz Murshed (2457, Bangladesh), IM Vakhidov Tahir (2482, Uzbekistan), IM Reefat Bin Sattar (2458, Bangladesh), IM GB Prakash (2453, India), IM Ziaur Rahman (2447, Bangladesh), IM Sandipan Chanda (2431, India), IM Abdullah Al Rakib (2359, Bangladesh) and FM Enamul Hossain Rajib (2323, Bangladesh).
A player will have to earn minimum 9.5 points from the meet for a Grand Master (GM) norm while minimum 6.5 points is required for an International Master (IM) norm, the average rating of which is 2472.
Opening day’s (Monday’s) fixture: Reefat vs Rakib, Zia vs Rajib, Prakash vs Meizis, Barsov vs Niaz, Volzhin vs Devies, Sandipan vs Tahir.
Elhvest will play Rausis after his arrival.
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