Niaz Morshed

Niaz Morshed (often seen as "Murshed") (Bangla: নিয়াজ মোরশেদ) (b. May 13, 1966) is a renowned chess player from Bangladesh. He is the first Grandmaster to emerge from South Asia.

Early life

Niaz Morshed was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh to Manzur Morshed and Najma Ahmed. Morshed developed a keen interest in chess at a very young age, when he picked up the game from his older brother. He became enamored with chess, and his talents flourished. Morshed grew up at an area (Eskaton) where chess was very popular. His neighbor was Jamilur Rahman, who later became a national champion himself. These favorable conditions may have contributed to the young Morshed’s devotion to chess. Morshed passed his Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.) exam in 1983 from St. Joseph High School and Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C.) exam in 1985 from Dhaka College.

Domestic Chess Career

Morshed, as a nine year old, entered the preliminary rounds of the national chess championship. Although he failed to qualify, he left a lasting impression on all present. By the time Morshed was 12 years old, he was considered one of the top players in Bangladesh. In 1978, he finished first in the national championship with two others, but ultimately placed third on a tie-breaker. He went on to win the next four national championships (in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982).

International Chess Career

In 1979, Morshed played in his first international competition at Kolkata, India. In 1981, Morshed tied for first in the Asian Junior Championship, held in Dhaka, but was counted second on tiebreak since he had fewer wins (and losses) than Ricardo de Guzman (Philippines) who was awarded the title and automatic IM. He also placed second in the zonal tournament, held in Sharjah, U.A.E. the same year, earning his International Master Title in the process. Morshed participated in the 1982 World Junior Championship, and although he failed to replicate his recent success, his game against Lars Schandorff of Denmark (later a Grand Master) was selected as the best match of the tournament.

Morshed earned his first Grandmaster norm in 1984 due to his success in Bela Crkva Open, Yugoslavia (1983) and Novag Commonwealth Chess Tournament, Hong Kong (1984). He earned his second grandmaster norm in 1986, thanks to his solid performance in Capstain International Tournament, Dhaka (1985) and Calcutta Grandmasters Tournament, Calcutta (1986). In 1987, FIDE awarded him the Grandmaster title, making him the first GM in South Asia.

Hiatus and Return

After earning his GM title, Morshed went to the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States to study economics. He played in only a handful tournament during this time. Upon earning his bachelors degree, Morshed returned to chess. However, his playing declined when he found it hard to adapt to the new generation of information driven chess. Nonetheless, he still found success from time to time in the international scene: first in the Goodric, India (1991), second in the GM Tournament, Cebu, Philippines, (1992), third in the Doha Chess Festival, Qatar (1993), T-1st place with two other contestants in the zonal tournament (1993), and finally, T-2nd place in the Commonwealth Chess Championship in 2004.

tyle of Play

Niaz Morshed plays primarily positional chess. He builds up small advantages, ultimately leading to a victory.

External links

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