The six-nation Sheikh Russell Cup Invitational Team Chess Championship 2022, began Thursday at the Bangladesh Chess Federation in Dhaka, marking Sheikh Russell Day.

All the six zone 3.2 countries of the World Chess Federation – Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh are taking part in the invitational team chess event.

Youth and Sports Secretary Mesbah Uddin officially inaugurated the six-nation meet as the chief guest.

Tarafder Md Ruhul Saif, director of the competition's sponsor Saif Powertec, Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Chess Federation, and KM Shahidullah, vice-president of the federation, were also present.

Read: Sheikh Russel Cup Invitational Team Chess starts tomorrow in capital

All teams will participate in the round-robin league system. At the end of the first phase, the super league will be held with the top three teams. It will also be held in a round-robin league format.

A total of $10,000 will be awarded to the winners. The champion team will receive $ 4,000, the runners-up $3,000, the third-place finishers $2,000 and the fourth-place team $1,000.

In the day's first-round matches after the inauguration ceremony, Bangladesh played against Sri Lanka, Pakistan faced the Maldives, and Nepal played against Bhutan.

The second round matches will start at 3pm Friday at the same venue.

In the second round, Pakistan will play Bangladesh, Bhutan will face Sri Lanka and the Maldives will play Nepal.