Fifteen-time Bangladesh Chess Champion GM Zia ur Rahman has passed away today after suffering a stroke during his 12th-round game at the national chess championship, the Bangladesh Chess Federation has confirmed.
The had a close-to-winning position against fellow GM Enamul Hossain in the Bangladesh Chess Championship in the capital Dhaka today, when the game was interrupted on move 25.
Local media reported that Rahman fell to the ground, and images circulating on social media show people trying to help him up. He was rushed to hospital, but eventually declared dead at around 7 p.m. local time, according to local media.
“Players and officials present in the hall room took him to the hospital quickly after he collapsed. Upon reaching there, doctors said he had already died,” Bangladesh Chess Federation General Secretary Sahab Uddin Shamim told AFP.
Rahman was on an undefeated 8/11 behind FM Reja Neer Manon in the event, with an excellent chance to take his 16th title. At the time of writing, the result of the game against Hossain has not been updated.
“It was my move. So, when he was falling down, I thought he was leaning down to pick up a water bottle. But then he collapsed, and we rushed him to the hospital. His son was playing at the next table,” Hossain told AFP, adding that it took them a few seconds to that Rahman had suffered a massive stroke.
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