Grandmaster (GM) Ziaur Rahman, born on May 1, 1974, was a towering figure in the world of chess in Bangladesh, with an international reputation among the global community of chess players. His journey from a young enthusiast to a grandmaster is a testament to the support he received from his parents and family, and his own talents, dedication, and passion for this “intellectual” game.
Tragically, GM Rahman passed away on July 5, 2024, after suffering a stroke during his 12th-round game at the Bangladesh National Championships. He was only 50 years old. He died doing what he loved, playing chess competitively. He was in a close-to-winning position against fellow Bangladeshi GM Enamul Hossain, when he suddenly collapsed from a heart attack. His untimely death has dealt a blow to chess in Bangladesh, but also in the global community of chess players.
Early education and rise to prominence
GM Ziur Rahman was born in a middle-class family and completed his secondary education at Government Laboratory High School and later graduated from the University of Dhaka with a degree in anthropology. Although his academic pursuits were important to him and his family, chess, a game he began playing at a young age, was his passion in life.
His father was an engineer, who was a self-taught life-long chess player of remarkable talent. He worked in the Middle-East for many years. GM Rahman was married to Labanya, a chess enthusiast and a great supporter of his pursuit of chess.
Love for chess ran deep in the family -- GM Rahman taught his son, Tahsin Tajwar Zia, now 19 years old, how to play chess and was proud of his success. Tahsin is a FIDE Master with a rising profile in Bangladesh and global chess. In 2022, Rahman and his son Zia made history as the “first” father-son duo to represent Bangladesh in the Chess Olympiad.
Coming from a middle-class family, with hardworking parents who were dedicated and supportive of his passion, Zia’s life story is a testament to one’s dedication and passion for the game of chess and to the pursuit for excellence.
There are many ways one can serve the nation -- for GM Rahman, his success in chess in the regional and global arena was his way of serving his community and the nation. Encouraged by his parents, both of whom loved chess, Rahman began playing chess at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks.
Rahman’s chess career took a significant turn when he earned the title of International Master (IM) in 1993. On October 19, 2002, Ziaur became the second citizen of Bangladesh to earn the globally acclaimed title of Grandmaster (GM), the highest title bestowed by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the global governing body of the sport of chess, which also regulates all international chess competitions. His highest FIDE rating of 2,570, achieved in October 2005, remains the highest ever by a Bangladeshi chess player.
Tributes from fellow chess players
Among the messages of condolences from the global chess community, Emil Sutovosky grandmaster and CEO of International Chess Federation (FIDE) wrote eloquently, “Tragic news about the passing of GM Ziaur Rahman. Strongest Bangladeshi player for decades, he was just 50, and the news is just shocking. His smile and mild manners made Ziaur popular in the East and West -- he wasn't just a nice person -- but a superb player (2570 at his best). He will be missed.”
India’s GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, wrote with love and respect: “An amazing human being, full of positive vibes. Zia Bhai gave me so many useful tips throughout my career. It is deeply shocking to hear of his demise. I will forever cherish all our beautiful memories. Rest in peace Zia Bhai.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by his fellow grandmasters in Bangladesh, and many who knew him and had great respect for him as a gentle family person, and as an accomplished chess player and celebrity.
GM Niaz Murshed, Bangladesh’s first Grandmaster, described Zia as a dedicated and passionate individual who was deeply committed to chess until his last day. GM Niaz said, “Zia was my first real competitor in Bangladesh, and our rivalry helped elevate the standard of chess in the country. Despite his achievements, he remained humble and approachable, always ready to support and guide the next generation of players.”
GM Enamul Hossain said: “Zia bhai was not just a mentor but a guiding light for many of us. His strategic insights and calm demeanour under pressure were truly inspiring. He always encouraged us to think several moves ahead, both in chess and in life.”
IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman added: “Playing against Ziaur Rahman was always a learning experience. His ability to turn seemingly lost positions into winning ones was nothing short of magical. He was a true gentleman, always willing to share his knowledge and help younger players improve.”
One memorable match was during the 2004 Chess Olympiad in Calvia, Spain. Rahman faced off against a higher-rated opponent from Russia. Despite being in a seemingly disadvantageous position, Rahman executed a brilliant endgame strategy, turning the tables and securing a draw that felt like a victory for the Bangladeshi team.
Another notable anecdote comes from the 2013 Asian Continental Championship. Rahman was up against a formidable opponent from China. In a tense middle game, Rahman sacrificed a knight to gain a positional advantage. This bold move left his opponent bewildered and eventually led to Rahman’s victory, showcasing his deep understanding of the game and his willingness to take risks for eventual victory.
His highest FIDE rating of 2,570, achieved in October 2005, remains the highest ever by a Bangladeshi chess player
The lessons for Bangladesh and the promise of chess
GM Ziaur Rahman’s story is one to celebrate, filled with unique achievements which have helped place Bangladesh firmly on the global map for chess.
The lessons from his life as a professional chess player will help the Bangladesh government and the Bangladesh Chess Federation, to select strategies to grow the stature and prominence of chess in Bangladesh by attracting new young talent to the game which would eventually lead to higher international rankings and visibility.
In particular, GM Rahman’s success and the challenges he faced during his chess career should lead the leaders in Bangladesh to adopt policies which have the promise to substantially increase the support for professional chess as a sport, unlike cricket and other sports.
With appropriate strengthening of support for chess, especially its most talented players, Bangladesh would be able to produce many more grandmasters in the future. With a strategic approach, Bangladesh would gain greater visibility in the world of chess and sports in general. We can learn from other nations about support infrastructure which will attract future chess players with the potential to one day attain the highest rank (GM).
Despite his tragic death at age 50, Ziaur Rahman’s life story is a testament to his lifelong dedication, passion, and the pursuit of excellence. His many achievements have already elevated the status and visibility of Bangladeshi chess on the global stage.
These achievements have also inspired many talented young players to get interested in playing professionally in Bangladesh and in India. He was a dedicated coach and mentor. GM Rahman is credited with coaching several Indian players. A number of his students went on to become grandmasters, including Diptayan Ghosh and Sayantan Das. Both players trained extensively under Rahman during their formative years, benefiting greatly from his expertise and guidance.
From Tahsin
What is it like being part of a family of a chess grandmaster? Having a dad who is a famous chess player is definitely a unique experience. It is hard to compare my life growing up with that of others, since I did not know what it’s like for other children in non-chess playing families. Since Dad was a professional chess player, a grandmaster, he made his living from playing and coaching chess.
To be sure, the life of a professional chess player is different from the life of most people, even those who play other games professionally. Their world revolves around those 64 squares, and there’s no clear separation between work and life. Chess is always on their mind. Chess players also tend to be introverted, so their social circle is often small and mainly consists of other players.
Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by chess. Even home decorations had chess motifs!
It’s true that the families of sportspersons make sacrifices. My mother had passed her BCS exams and was selected for a government job, but she didn’t join so she could support Dad’s career and take care of the household.
Professional sports persons tend to travel a lot to play in tournaments abroad, and this type of life could be quite difficult for the family members, especially young children. But Dad made sure he and his mother didn’t feel the loneliness. He would often take me and Mom to these chess events, both national and those in foreign locations.
As I grew older, I played chess alongside Dad in the same tournaments. That’s how I also became a professional chess player.
But looking back, it's been a memorable journey, full of both challenges and joys and I am grateful for each and every moment.
GM Rahman is credited with coaching several Indian players. A number of his students went on to become grandmasters, including Diptayan Ghosh and Sayantan Das
Policy recommendations for the government of Bangladesh
What are the challenges and hurdles chess players, even the most famous, face in Bangladesh? The biggest is financial. Chess isn’t a popular sport, and there’s a lack of sponsorship in Bangladesh, where "sports" is synonymous with cricket and football. Europe is the global powerhouse of chess, with hundreds of high-quality tournaments held regularly providing opportunities for local players to polish their skills.
Ambitious chess players need to compete in Europe to grow their rating and climb the ranks. This is not practical for even the top players from Bangladesh, since international travel is expensive, and the visa process is a big hurdle. In addition, the chess infrastructure in Bangladesh is underdeveloped compared to other regions. Top players have to seek opportunities outside the country, and without financial support, it becomes a major challenge for even the most talented players.
What can the Bangladesh Chess Federation and the government of Bangladesh do to strengthen chess in Bangladesh, so that one day Bangladesh becomes a powerhouse in chess?
According to Tahsin, the government should support the top players (GMs, IMs) by providing stable jobs or salaries. In India, for example, players who achieve the grandmaster title often secure decent government jobs. In Bangladesh, there’s no such benefits or preferential treatments, and as a result, many talented chess players, especially from middle-class families, are not motivated to pursue chess professionally. After all, why work so hard to reach the highest level if there’s no financial support waiting for you once you reach the top echelons?
A bold step for the government and the relevant ministry would be to introduce a monthly stipend of taka one lac for each GM for life. If the GM passes away, the family would receive this amount until the children have completed their education.
This would serve both as a reward and an incentive. These individuals have attained the highest rank in the world of chess, and brought fame to Bangladesh for which they deserve being rewarded financially. The stipend will also create a powerful incentive for young talented players to consider playing chess professionally. Appropriate stipends should also be introduced to the top players as they make progress to attaining the highest rank in chess, that of GM.
Considering the potential impact, this is a small investment in the future visibility of Bangladesh in the arena of global chess. Today Bangladesh boasts four GMs (five including the recently deceased Ziaur Rahman), so this amounts to Tk5 lacs monthly, or Tk60 lacs over the year -- a small amount considering the budget the government has for cricket and other sports. Chess also has the potential to capture the public imagination and earn the nation much needed visibility and positive attention.
Additionally, more chess tournaments need to be organized locally. Regular, high-quality events would provide players with opportunities to compete and grow. These steps would not only strengthen the chess community but also help Bangladesh become more competitive on the global stage.
The game of chess for those playing competitively at the highest levels, requires great discipline and effort. They have to make difficult choices between spending time to take care of their families or improve their game. Introducing monthly financial support, including a pension upon retirement, for the top ranked chess players in Bangladesh would be a strategic investment in the nation’s future.
Dr Munir Quddus teaches economics at Prairie View A&M University as an endowed professor and serves as Dean of the College of Business. Tahsin Tajwar Zia is a FIDE Master and GM Ziaur Rahman’s son.