The climax of the Spectrum Bangladesh National Cup Chess is set to unfold from 16 February at the Bangladesh Chess Federation's (BCF) Kriya Kendra, where the nation's finest will clash in a high?stakes knockout showdown.
A total of 32 players, comprising the top 16 seeded players and 16 qualifiers from the preliminary rounds, will vie for supremacy in what promises to be a scintillating battle of strategy and intellect.
Every participant in the final stage is guaranteed a cash prize from the total purse of BDT 3,08,000, with the champion taking home BDT 1,00,000 and the runner?up receiving BDT 50,000.
The remaining sum will be distributed proportionally among the other competitors.
The tournament, distinguished for its innovative format, enjoys the sponsorship and support of Spectrum Engineering Consortium Limited.
The preliminary rounds, held from 31 January to 8 February, witnessed 142 contenders fighting for a place in the main knockout stage. Conducted under a nine?round Swiss League system, the qualifiers displayed remarkable skill and tenacity. Emerging at the top was Golam Mostofa Bhuiya of Sports Bangla, who amassed 7.5 points through seven wins, one draw, and a single loss. His path to victory included decisive wins over Md Enamul Haque, Liton Chandra Shil, Syed Abdul Zaker, Mihir Lal Das, Tahmidul Haque, Candidate Master Md Azmain Parvez Sair, and Anot Chowdhury, while he drew against Md Iftikhar Alam and suffered a setback against Md Hasan Mia. Bhuiya's triumph not only crowned him champion but also elevated his personal rating by 22 points to 2079, underscoring his rise as one of the country's leading chess talents.
While the title race remained fiercely contested, the battle for runner?up was equally gripping. Three players finished with seven points each, necessitating the use of tie?breaks. Anot Chowdhury of Manha's Castle claimed second place, with Candidate Master Md Sajidul Haq finishing third, and Jinnat Akhtar Shahnaz of Bangladesh Police Chess Club securing fourth.
The contest for the remaining places, from fifth to sixteenth, was intensely fought, with 6.5 points securing advancement.
Through the tie?break system, the following players progressed to the final knockout stage: Candidate Masters Md Abu Hanif, Mahtabuddin Ahmed Robin, Md Azmain Parvez Sair, Md Mashum Hossain, Abhik Sarkar, Zowar Haq Pradhan, Sohel Chowdhury, Nosheen Anjum (FIDE Master), Siam Chowdhury, Swarnavo Chowdhury, Syed Mahfuzur Rahman Emon (FIDE Master), and Md Nasim Hossain Bhuiya.
However, Afzal Hossain Sacchu (17th) and Kazi Zarin Tasnim (female Candidate Master, 18th) narrowly missed out on qualifying for the knockout stage.
