Premier Div Chess begins today

Three former champions will be vying for the title as the Saif Powertec Premier Division Chess League is set to begin today at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room after a one-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although 11 teams are participating in round-robin league, the title race is expected to be between Bangladesh Police Chess Club, Saif Sporting Club and Biman Bangladesh, who have formed strong squads.

Bangladesh Police, who clinched the title on their debut season in 2019, boast Indian Grandmasters Surya Shekhar Ganguly and Raunak Sadhwani alongside Bangladeshi GMs Adullah Al Rakib and Ziaur Rahman and local IM Fahad Rahman.

Last edition's runners-up and former champions Saif SC have also roped in strong players like Indian GM B Adhiban, Belarusian GM Valdislav Kovalev and Bangladeshi GM Reefat Bin Sattar while also including FM Mehedi Hasan Parag and Abdul Malek.

15-time champions Biman Bangladesh, who returned to top-flight chess in 2019 after a seven-year hiatus, roped in GM D Gukesh and GM Neelotpal Das from India alongside Bangladeshi GM Enamul Hossain Razib and Bangladeshi FMs Taibur Rahman and Rezaul Haque.A total of 66 players, including 13 GM and nine IM, are taking part in the league.