Bangladesh 80-Year-Old Chess Legends Wins a game at Delhi Tournament

New Delhi: A remarkable story has emerged from the capital, where an international chess tournament is underway at a resort in Delhi. Among the participants is Sayeda Khatun, an 80-year-old female chess player from Bangladesh, who has come to India to compete in this prestigious event. In the six-round tournament, she has already won one game and drawn another.

This marks the 21st edition of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament, which features players from across the globe. The total prize pool stands at an impressive ₹1.21 crore. The tournament is being held at Tivoli Gardens, the same venue where Indian world chess champion D. Gukesh earned his final Grandmaster norm.

Sayeda Khatun, widely known in the chess world as Rani Hamid, holds a legendary status. She became Bangladesh’s first Woman International Master (WIM) back in 1985, when she was 40 years old.

Accompanying her to the tournament was Ashiya Sultana, a 37-year-old chess player from Bangladesh. However, Ashiya was denied entry by Indian immigration authorities, reportedly due to being on a blacklist, and had to return to Bangladesh.

Despite her age, Rani Hamid’s participation and performance in such a competitive field is being celebrated as an inspiring example of longevity and passion in sport.