Kazi Saif claims Narayanganj Int'l Chess title

Kazi Saif produced a commanding performance to emerge as the unbeaten champion of the Lion Ashraful Rahman Mithu Memorial International Rapid Rating Chess Tournament in Narayanganj on Saturday.

Saif amassed 6.5 points from seven games, putting together a performance that left his rivals chasing shadows as he secured the title without tasting defeat.

Javed Al Azad finished as the first runner-up with 5.5 points, edging the other players on the same tally through the tie-break system. Niloy Debnath took the second runner-up spot.

Four players finished on five points, with the tie-break placing Candidate Master Azmain Parvez Sayar fourth, Candidate Master Abu Hanif fifth, Siam Chowdhury sixth and Mohammad Mokshed Khan seventh.

The tournament, held at Narayanganj Heritage School, featured 36 players, including one competitor from Sri Lanka. Twelve players were awarded cash prizes.

At the conclusion of the competition, National Board of Revenue Tax Commissioner Mortuza Shariful Islam distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest.

The tournament was listed internationally as a FIDE-rated rapid event in Narayanganj on 19 September 2026, adding another chapter to Bangladesh's growing calendar of rated chess competitions.