Bangladesh teams make strong start at Chess Olympiad
The men's team secured a dominant 4-0 victory against Lesotho in the open section, while the women's team replicated that success, also winning 4-0 against Saint Lucia.
Both the Bangladesh men's and women's chess teams kicked off their campaigns in the 45th Chess Olympiad with commanding victories in the opening round on 18 august in Budapest, Hungary.
Notably, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia and WIM Rani Hamid were rested for the first round, as each team is allowed to field four players per round.
In the men's open section, IM Fahad Rahman triumphed over Khalema Sechaba, FM Manon Reja Neer defeated Thabang Mophane, while GM Enamul Hossain and GM Niaz Murshed secured victories against Tsephe Lebajoa and Karabo Mokete, respectively.
In the women's section, WFM Noshin Anjum beat Lui Mila, WFM Walijah Ahmed overcame Wahid Chelse, WCM Nusrat Jahan Alo defeated James Vernesa, and WCM Wadifa Ahmed rounded off the performance by defeating Richards Trisann.
Looking ahead, the Bangladesh men's team will face a formidable Vietnam side in the second round, while the women's team will take on Romania, both expected to provide much tougher challenges.
A total of 193 teams are competing in the open section, while 181 teams are participating in the women's section of this prestigious tournament.