Manon Reja Neer clinches title at MTB International Masters
Bangladesh's highest-rated International Master, Manon Reja Neer, was crowned champion of the MTB International Masters Chess Tournament, held at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) from 14 to 23 December 2025.
The 10-day international tournament featured three International Masters and three FIDE Masters from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. It was hosted by IUB's Division of Student Activities and the IUB Chess Club, with technical support from the Bangladesh Chess Federation.
Manon Reja Neer secured the title with 6.5 points from nine games. FM Sakline Mostafa Sajid finished runner-up with six points, while Bivor Adak of India placed third, also with six points. IM Minhaz Uddin Sagor finished fourth with 5.5 points. They received prize money of Tk40,000, Tk30,000, Tk20,000, and Tk10,000 respectively.
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Other Bangladeshi players included IM Abu Sufian Shakil, FM Khondokar Aminul Islam, and Amit Bikram Roy of IUB. Participants from India included Arpon Das (Jr) and FM Singh Gurpreet Pal, while Silwal Purushottam represented Nepal.
South Asia's first grandmaster, Niaz Murshed, adviser to the IUB Chess Club, served as host of the tournament. Mutual Trust Bank PLC was the title sponsor. Md Haroon Or Rashid, Chief Arbiter of the Bangladesh Chess Federation, officiated the event, assisted by Mishan Baskota of Nepal.
The closing ceremony was attended by Captain Syed Sujauddin Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh Chess Federation; Md Bakhteyer Hossain, Deputy Managing Director of Mutual Trust Bank PLC; Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof Daniel W Lund; and Atif M Safi, Head of the Division of Student Activities at IUB.
The opening ceremony was held on 14 December 2025 at the IUB multipurpose hall. GM Niaz Murshed; Didar A Husain, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of IUB; trustees Towhid Samad, Rashed Chowdhury, A Matin Chowdhury, Mohammad Zakaria Khan, Dr Husne Ara Ali, and Md Tanveer Madar; along with Vice-Chancellor, Prof M Tamim; Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof Daniel W Lund; deans; and senior management officials were present. An exhibition match between Towhid Samad and GM Niaz Murshed was a highlight of the ceremony.
