The Rise of a Chess Prodigy: Niaz Murshed's Journey to Becoming Grandmaster

Niaz Murshed's childhood was marked by a sudden surge in the popularity of chess, which was sparked by the iconic Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky match in 1972. At the age of five and a half, Niaz was introduced to chess by his elder brother, Mahbub Murshed, and was soon playing with other kids in the Eskaton area of Dhaka. With the support and guidance of national chess players Farhad Ahmed and Jamilur Rahman, Niaz's talent flourished, and he became the youngest player in the Eskaton chess group.

Key Takeaways:

• Niaz Murshed was introduced to chess at the age of five and a half in 1972, following the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky match.
• He took his first chess lessons from his elder brother, Mahbub Murshed, and was soon playing with other kids in the Eskaton area of Dhaka.
• Niaz's talent was recognized by national chess players Farhad Ahmed and Jamilur Rahman, who provided him with guidance and support.
• In 1975, Niaz took part in the national chess qualifiers, where he didn't qualify but showed promising results, winning one game and drawing two out of five.
• Niaz made it to the finals of the national chess competition in 1976 and went on to finish third in the following national chess.
• He emerged national champion in 1979 at the age of 12 years and 11 months, setting a record for the youngest national champion in Asia.
• Niaz earned the international master title at the World Chess Championship Zone 9 qualifiers in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in 1981.
• He won the national title four times in a row and represented Bangladesh at eight Chess Olympiads since 1984.
• Niaz achieved grandmaster norms in 1984 in Hong Kong and 1986 in Kolkata, and was officially granted the grandmaster title in 1987.
• He became the first grandmaster in south Asia and west Asia zone, a feat that stood unmatched for a decade and a half.

Statistics:

• Niaz Murshed became the youngest national champion in Asia at the age of 12 years and 11 months in 1979.
• He earned the international master title at the age of 14 in 1981.
• Niaz achieved grandmaster norms in 1984 in Hong Kong and 1986 in Kolkata.
• He won the national title four times in a row between 1980 and 1983.
• Niaz represented Bangladesh at eight Chess Olympiads since 1984.

Sources:

• Niaz Murshed's interview with Dhaka Tribune
• National sport fortnightly 'Krira Jagat' cover story on Niaz being the youngest international master in Asia
• Fide (World Chess Federation) records and certificates
• Niaz Murshed's personal accounts and recollections