Father-Son Chess Duo Faces Challenges After Tragic Loss

The chess world was once a different place for the father-son duo of GM Ziaur Rahman and FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia, who travelled the globe together to participate in various tournaments. Tahsin initially hesitated to learn chess from his father but grew interested during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, spending time learning from his renowned father.

Their journey led them to make history as Bangladesh’s first father-son team to compete in the 44th Chess Olympiad in India in 2022, where Tahsin achieved the title of FIDE Master. With aspirations of becoming an International Master, Tahsin was on the path to success with the guidance of his father.

Tragically, everything changed for Tahsin after the sudden death of his father during a chess tournament. Despite the loss, Tahsin continued to pursue his passion for chess, aiming to represent Bangladesh in the 45th Chess Olympiad in Hungary.

Struggling to cope with the loss of his father, Tahsin is determined to honor his father’s legacy by excelling in chess. With upcoming tournaments in Budapest, Tahsin is focused on his training, with the support of Indian GMs and his mother, Tasmin Sultana.

However, financial challenges loom over Tahsin’s journey, as his father was the main provider for their family through chess tournaments. Sultana is now left to manage the family’s finances and support Tahsin’s chess career, urging the government, federation, and sponsors to step in and help fulfill Tahsin’s dream of becoming a Grandmaster.

As the chess community rallies around Tahsin, the hope is that he can continue his father’s legacy and achieve greatness in the world of chess.