Brighter Tomorrow Foundation (BTF), a suicide prevention volunteer organization, and the Dhaka University Chess Club (DUCC) jointly organized a chess competition at Dhaka University on the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2026.
Around 100 students from different schools, colleges and universities took part in the daylong competition titled “BTF-DUCC FIDE Rapid Rated Chess Championship 2026” at the university’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on Friday.
The event aimed to raise mental health awareness among young people and promote intellectual development and positive thinking.
The competition was held in two categories — university and school-college. The top 10 players in each category were awarded prizes based on their scores and final standings.
Brighter Tomorrow Foundation Founding President Joyshree Zaman presided over the prize-giving and closing ceremony held in the afternoon.
Among others, Bangladesh Chess Federation Vice-President and DIG Dr Shoeb Reaz Alam, the federation’s Senior Joint Secretary and FIDE Master Mehedi Hasan Parag, mental health specialist Dr Farzana Rahman, Inner Wheel Club of Lobelia President Sajeda Akter and DUCC President Fariha Sumona attended the event.
DUCC General Secretary Md Sajidul Islam moderated the program.
Speaking at the event, mental health specialist Dr Farzana Rahman said chess plays an important role in maintaining mental well-being and improving brain function.
Regular chess practice helps improve concentration, thinking abilities, problem-solving skills and decision-making capacity, she added.
In her presidential address, Joyshree Zaman said engaging in sports, recreation and cultural activities is essential for mental well-being. Creating a healthy and positive environment can help reduce depression among people, she said, adding that the competition was organized with this objective in mind.
Zaman said questions had been raised about the connection between sports and suicide prevention while working on mental health issues. However, she believes that encouraging positive and creative activities in everyday life is essential to ensuring mental well-being.
Calling for greater support for intellectual games like chess, she urged everyone not to overlook the importance of promoting such activities.
Addressing the participating students, Joyshree said life decisions should be made thoughtfully, much like moves in a chess game, to avoid serious consequences resulting from wrong choices.
Zaman also stressed the importance of rejecting suicide and depression and maintaining mental resilience.
Advising students not to keep their emotional distress to themselves, Zaman said, “Never keep your pain bottled up inside. Sharing it with someone can help you feel much lighter.”