International Master Manon Reja Neer emerged as the champion of the Active Minds–ACG School Rapid Chess Tournament 2025, held Friday at Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka.
Organized by Pawn Power Chess Club, supported by Active Minds and the Agami Education Foundation, and in collaboration with the Bangladesh Chess Federation, the day-long tournament brought together 230 school students from across the country in a spirited display of youth chess talent.
Neer and Sakline Mostafa Sajid, a FIDE Master, both finished with 8.5 points, with Neer claiming the top spot on a tie-breaker.
The tournament featured intense matches across nine rounds under a rapid format, showcasing strategic play and composure from young competitors.
The event was inaugurated by South Asia’s first Grandmaster Niaz Murshed, while Grandmaster Reefat Bin Sattar also attended and interacted with participants, adding inspiration to the occasion.
The prize-giving ceremony was graced by Dr. Nehreen Majed, President of Agami Education Foundation, who attended as the chief guest and handed over the awards to the winners.
Her presence underscored Agami’s commitment to supporting educational and co-curricular excellence among school students.
The tournament reinforced the growing popularity of chess in schools and highlighted the role of collaborative initiatives in promoting intellectual development and student engagement through competitive platforms.
