Sheikh Russel Int'l chess starts today

The Sheikh Russel Cup Invitational Team Chess Championship gets underway today at the Bangladesh Chess Federation with six countries from South Asia taking part in the championship.

Hosts Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan will play in a round-robin league basis, with the top three teams fighting it out in the Super League to decide the title. Champions will be awarded US $4,000 while the runners-up will bag US $3,000.

Hosts Bangladesh are tipped as favourites as the team includes three grandmasters -- Niaz Murshed, Ziaur Rahman and Enamul Hossain Rajib -- and two international masters whereas the second-best side, Sri Lanka, boast only one international master and one FIDE master.