Wadifa becomes Asian Zonal champion, secures Women's International Master title and Chess World Cup spot

Wadifa Ahmed became the Asian Zonal 3.2 champion in Colombo today, securing both the Women's International Master title and a place in the next Women's World Cup.

FIDE Master Wadifa dominated the Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championship (women's category) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from the start. At times, she led alone, and at others, she shared the top spot with Sri Lanka's Oshini. In the final round today, a draw against Bangladesh's Women's International Master Rani Hamid secured three major achievements for Wadifa—winning the championship, qualifying for the next Women's World Cup, and earning the Women's International Master (WIM) title.

Speaking from Colombo, an ecstatic Wadifa said, "I defeated Oshini earlier. Even if she won her final round, my title was secured on tiebreaks. Becoming champion means I will play in the World Cup and have also achieved the WIM title. It feels incredible!"

To earn the WIM title, a player typically needs a 2200 rating and three WIM norms. Last year, Wadifa secured one norm in Hungary. However, FIDE regulations allow any FIDE Master who wins an Asian Zonal or World Cup Qualifier to receive the WIM title outright, without requiring norms. The rating threshold is also reduced from 2200 to 2000. With a current rating of 2091, Wadifa meets all requirements for the title. Two years ago, Jannatul Ferdous won the Zonal Championship but has yet to receive the title due to not reaching the 2000 rating mark.

Rani Hamid became Bangladesh's first WIM in 1985. Two decades later, Shamima Sultana Liza followed, and six years ago, Shirin Sultana became the country's third WIM. Wadifa's success today makes her Bangladesh's fourth Women's International Master.

None of Bangladesh's previous WIMs have gone on to become Grandmasters, but Wadifa, a tenth-grade student, hopes to change that. "My first goal is to become Bangladesh's first Women's Grandmaster. After that, I will work towards the Grandmaster title. I will give everything to achieve my dream," she said. The WGM title requires a 2400 rating and three WGM norms, while the GM title demands a 2500 rating and three GM norms.

Wadifa's elder sister Waliza is also a chess player, and the two have shared success in recent years. They won the last two editions of the national junior women's championship, with Waliza winning before Wadifa. Interestingly, Wadifa has now secured the WIM title before her older sister. "Both of us were aiming for this title. I managed to get there first, but she will achieve it soon too," she said.

As the reigning national women's champion, Wadifa had earned the right to compete in the Junior World Championship in Montenegro last year. However, visa complications prevented her from participating. Winning the Asian Zonal Championship, along with the WIM title and World Cup qualification, has eased that disappointment.

While Bangladesh has already claimed the women's title, the open category remains undecided, with Monon Reza Neer and Imon still competing. There is also a chance for an International Master title or an IM norm from that section.