Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman passed away while playing a game in the 12th round of the ongoing National Chess Championship on Friday evening.
Ziaur Rahman was in a good position against another grandmaster Enamul Hossain Rajib in the 12th round of the game that began at 3:00pm. He suddenly fell down at around 6:00pm.
Then all present rushed him to Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital at Shahbag within nine minutes where on-duty doctors at the emergency department pronounced Ziaur Rahman as dead after examining him.
Bangladesh Chess Federation's general secretary Syed Shahabuddin Shamim confirmed about the death of Zia.
He said, "He (Ziaur Rahman) died when he was put on the car to take to hospital. Then the doctors confirmed about his death when he was taken to hospital though his relatives cannot accept his death. They hope that Zia is still alive.
Zia's wife Labanya had also burst into tears after reaching the hospital. The intensity of her crying went up when doctors at the hospital gave death certificate. None could stop her crying.
Not only Zia's wife, but his co-players had also burst into tears. A pall of gloom has descended on the Bangladesh sport arena including the chess due to the sudden death of Zia.
Ziaur Rahman was 50 years old. His son Tahsin Tajwar is also playing in this year's National Chess League. Zia's wife Labanya was also present at the federation. He died before his wife and son there.
Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman was born in 1974. He passed SSC examination from Government Laboratory High School. Then he obtained Bachelor of Arts degree from Dhaka University.
He received International Master (IM) status in 1993. After Niaz Morshed, he became the second grandmaster of the country in 2002. In October 2005, he achieved highest rating (2570) among the Bangladeshi chess players.
He passed SSC from Government Laboratory High School. Then he passed Bachelor of Arts from Dhaka University.
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