After the brief announcement of the BERGER 1st Inter University Chess Championship at the press conference held on 27th July 2017, chess players of all the Universities were waiting for the date 25th September, the grand opening of the new platform for University level competitive chess. The tournament started with the opening ceremony presided over by the honorable Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, Professor Dr. Syed Saad Andaleeb. In his speech, the VC shared his experience of playing the game back in 1964 and also prescribed chess as a way to improve ones’ cognitive skills and brain development. The General Manager, Marketing of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited, Mr. AKM Sadeque Newaj inaugurated the event as the Chief Guest. He stated how Berger was involving themselves in student activities to empower the youth. Grand Master NiazMurshed was present as the Special Guest of the event. The Grand Master wished all the teams the very best and said “May the best team win!” The founder and advisor of BRACU Chess Club, Md. Shams Ud Duha expressed his gratitude towards the title sponsor Berger for coming forward to make the event happen and also thanked the Vice Chancellor and Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, Director of BRAC Institute of Languages, for their undivided support towards the club. Representing the organizers, the General Secretary of BRAC University Chess Club, ArifShakil welcomed the participating teams and thanked the organizing team for their effort and hard work in putting up the show.
After the opening ceremony the arena was set for the brain brawl. The chess athletes from Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Jagannath University, Jahangirnagar University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB), Khulna University, Daffodil University, Green University, Prime Asia University, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Eastern University, United International University (UIU), Govt. Commerce College, Chittagong and the home troupe BRAC University joined in forming one or more teams, bringing on their best game at the tournament.
At the end of the first day (round 2), Khulna University team took the lead on the points table, where Jagannath University team and BUET (2) team are standing their ground at 2nd and 3rd position respectively. The home favorites, Red and Green teams of BRAC University managed to hold on to the 4th and 5th position respectively keeping their game alive in the Championship.
On the third day of BERGER Inter University Chess Championship the fog clears out, as BRAC University honors the Jahangirnagar University team, the 1st Inter University Chess Champions. Though the home teams missed the bulls-eye, the BRACU Red clinched on to the second spot in the tournament. The team consisted of visually impaired Husain Ejaz from TESOL Program and Mohammad Shakil, ShihabShahriar and Rifat Nanjiba Ibnat from the undergrad program, the A team of BRAC University. Husain Ejaz also received the board win prize along with Shadman Abedin Sadi from the Green team. It was an evening of great achievement for BRAC University Chess Club as they first time successfully hosted an inter-university event and lead the competition from the front as participants.
Grandmaster Niaz Murshed shared his thoughts on the tournament as he did not expect such uncertainty of the outcomes. The underdog teams making their marks as the strongest teams struggle to hold on to their grounds. The chief guest of the event AKM Sadeque Nawaj, General Manager, Marketing of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited, also was impressed of the quality games and sportsmanship as he praised the players and the game itself. Our guest of honor Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed valuing the sport and the club said that, BRAC University Chess Club came a long way from being a tool from education to a breeding ground for professional chess players. The founder and advisor of the club, Md. Shams Ud Duha thanked Lady SyedaSarwat Abed and the title sponsor Berger for making this event possible and the hard working team of BUChC along with ArifShakil the General Secretary of the club.