Rani Hamid, a name synonymous with women’s chess in Bangladesh, has a long career marked with triumphs and accolades. Her journey in chess has inspired generations and made her a national icon. With multiple national and international championships, she has proven that societal limitations cannot hold back true talent. This article sheds light on the life, career, and legacy of Rani Hamid, one of the most prominent female chess players in the history of Bangladesh. Early Life and Introduction to Chess Born as Saiyeda Jasimunnesa Khatun on July 14, 1944, in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Rani Hamid's early life was influenced by her father's passion for sports, especially chess. Her father, Saiyed Momtaz Ali, a police officer, often played chess with friends, sparking her interest in the game.  Although her family moved frequently due to her father’s job, her passion for chess remained constant. Rani completed her primary education at Nandankanan Girls’ High School in Chattogram. Despite the restrictions of the time, which limited girls' participation in sports and education, Rani managed to balance both. After completing her education at Eden College, Dhaka, she found an encouraging partner, her husband, Lieutenant Colonel MA Hamid, an athlete and sports organizer. Read More: Top Bangladeshi Golf Players of All Time International Acclaim and Recognition Rani Hamid did not stop at national glory; she also made her mark on the international stage. In 1981, she participated in the first Asian Women’s Chess Championship in Hyderabad, India, where she gained international recognition. She became the first Bangladeshi woman to win the title of Woman International Master (WIM) in 1985. Rani’s success in the international circuit continued when she participated in the British Women’s Chess Championship, winning the title three times (in 1983, 1985, and 1989). Her dominance in this tournament was such that foreign players were eventually barred from competing in the British National Championship. Triumphs and Honors Rani Hamid’s chess career is studded with prestigious titles and awards. Hamid won the national title for six consecutive years from 1979 to 1984, totaling 19 times throughout her career.  She won the Commonwealth Chess Gold Medal in 2017, and the Zonal Championship in 2018. Her contributions to chess were recognized in 1985 when she received the Bangladesh National Sports Award, one of the country’s highest honors in sports. Recognizing her contribution as a renowned Bangladeshi chess player, the Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in April 2016. In 2018, she was awarded the Journalists' Choice Award during the Chess World Cup in Russia. This accolade was a testament to her enduring prowess and contribution to the sport.  She continues to dominate the women’s chess scene in Bangladesh and has become a symbol of excellence and perseverance.  Read The most famous Bangladeshi female athletes of all time Victory at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest In an inspiring display of resilience and chess mastery, 80-year-old Rani Hamid led the Bangladeshi women’s team to a resounding victory at the 45th Chess Olympiad, held in Budapest, Hungary in 2024. Competing against Barbados, Rani triumphed over her opponent, Springer Leshay, contributing to her team's overwhelming 3.5-0.5 win. Her victory came as part of a stellar team performance, with Women FIDE Masters Noshin Anjum and Wadifa Ahmed also securing wins against their Barbadian counterparts, Wilson Hannah and Reifer-Belle Chanon. Woman Candidate Master Nusrat Jahan Alo drew her match against WCM Blackman Katrina, completing the team’s dominant performance. This victory not only highlighted Rani Hamid’s enduring excellence in chess but also served as a testament to her leadership and ability to inspire younger players. Leading a new generation of Bangladeshi chess talent, she remains a formidable force on the international stage, defying age and expectations with each passing tournament. Read more: Top Bangladeshi Chess Players of All Time Conclusion Rani Hamid’s journey from a curious child watching her father play chess to becoming a national icon is a testament to her talent, determination, and resilience. She not only broke barriers for women in chess; but also brought international recognition to Bangladesh through her achievements.

Bangladesh team beat Panama in the 2nd round match of the 1st FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities held in Belgrade, Servia  Tuesday night In the 2nd round,   Syed Ejaz Hossain (rating-1952), Bappy Sarkar (Rating-1778) and Md. Ali Newaz Sarkar (Rating-1809) of Bangladesh won against Osorio Jesus Camilo (Rating-1859), Munoz Alba Cristal (Rating-1000) and Singares Mario Oscar (rating-1425) of Panama respectively.  Read more: Sports Bangla clinch 2nd Division Chess League title Md Khorshed Alam (Rating-2065) of Bangladesh lost to Jimenez Moron, Elias (1967) of Panama..  Bangladesh team will play Czech Republic in their 3rd round match scheduled for Wednesday at 8 pm (Bangladesh time) 

Bangladesh conceded a 1-3 game points defeat against Cuba in the 2nd round of the FIDE World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad held in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan on Monday. In Monday's 2nd round, CM Manon Reja Neer of Bangladesh won against Gonzalez Soler Leduard Manuel of Cuba while three other Bangladeshi players --Jannatul Ferdousi, CM Sakline Mostafa Sajid and Md. Sajidul Haque lost to FM Hidalgo Diaz Daniel, Hernandez Izquierdo Jose A and Caballero Ramos Cuba respectively. Read: World Youth Chess Olympiad: Bangladesh beat South Africa 3-1 points Bangladesh is playing with Malaysia in the 3rd round on Tuesday. Bangladesh team earned two points from two matches.

A seven-member Bangladesh Youth Chess team left Dhaka for Azerbaijan Friday (September 30) night to participate in the FIDE World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad beginning on Sunday (October 2) in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The seven-member Bangladesh team are: Non-Playing team captain & coach FIDE Trainer IM Abu Sufian Shakil, CM Manon Reja Neer, Md. Sajidul Haque, CM Sakline Mostafa Sajid, Swarnavo Choudhury, Jannatul Ferdousi and Omnia Binte Yusuf Lubaba.  Read: Dubai Open Chess: GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh in 3rd slotLeading under-16 chess players, representing 34 teams from 24 countries, will participate in the nine-round Swiss-League Basis competition

Bangladesh Women's team beat Iraq by 3.5-05 points in the 9th round Women's Division matches of the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad being held at Mahabalipuram in Chennai, India on Sunday night. In the 9th round matches of Women's category,  Woman International Master Sharmin Sultana Shirin (rating-1995), Woman FIDE Master Noshin Anjum (rating-2027) and Woman FIDE Master Nazrana Khan Eva (Rating-1829) of Bangladesh beat  Al-Fayyadh Zainab Asif Abdulah (rating-1149), Sara Masood Abdullah (rating-1677) and Tiba Mahdi Attiyah (Rating-1759) of Iraq respectively. In the other 9th round match, Woman Candidate Master Jannatul Ferdous (rating-1815) of Bangladesh drew with Woman FIDE Master A–Ali Sali Abbas Abdulzahra (Rating-1864) of Iraq.  After the 9th round matches, Bangladesh Women's team is now in the 55th place with 10 points from 9 matches.  In the Open Division, Bangladesh Men's team lost to Iceland by 1.5 -2.5 points in the 9th round match of the Chess Olympiad also on Sunday night. Read: Chess Olympiad: Bangladesh beat New Zealand in Open Division In the 9th round matches, Bangladeshi Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib (Rating-2377), Grand Master Ziaur Rahman (Rating-2424) and FIDE Master Mehdi Hasan Parag (Rating-2227) drew with Grandmaster Gretarsson, Hjorvar Steinn (Rating-2563), Grandmaster Stefansson Hannes (Rating-2541) and Grandmaster Gretarsson Helgi Ass (Rating-2472) of Iceland respectively.  Grand Master Niaz Murshed (Rating-2413) of Bangladesh  lost to Grandmaster Kjartansson Gudmundur (Rating-2448) of Iceland In the other open category match.  Bangladesh team is now in the 65th position securing 10 points from nine matches.  The 10th and penultimate round matches due to be held Monday evening. In the 10th round, the Bangladesh team will play Thailand in the open category and Bangladesh women's team will play Egypt in the women's category.

Bangladesh National Chess team will leave Dhaka for Chennai on Wednesday (July 27) to participate in the 44th World Chess Olympiad to be held in Mahabalipuram in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, from July 29 to August 9. A record number of 162 teams from 157 countries will participate in this year's Chess Olympiad while a  record number of 188 teams from 183 countries will compete in three other categories --Braille, Silence and Physically Disabled. Read: 2nd Div Chess: Eight teams sharing top slot Members of Bangladesh Chess Team in 44th World Chess Olympiad are : KM Shahidullah (Vice President, Bangladesh Chess Federation and Delegate to Congress): Syed Shahabuddin Shamim (General Secretary, Bangladesh Chess Federation, Head of Delegation), Dr. Shoaib Riaz Alam (Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Chess Federation),  Zakir Ahmed, Noor Alam  (Bangladesh Chess Federation),  Haroon Or Rashid ( Match Arbiter and International Referee), Open Division Men's teams: Captain -FIDE Instructor Masudur Rahman Mallick. players: Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Rajib (Rating-2377), Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman (Rating-2424), Grandmaster Niaz Murshed (Rating-2413), FIDE Master Mehdi Hasan Parag (Rating-2227) and FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia (Rating-2307), Women's Team: Captain: National Instructor Mahmuda Haque Chowdhury Moly,  players: Woman Candidate Master Jannatul Ferdous (Rating-1815), Woman FIDE Master Shamima Sharmin Shireen (Rating-1995), Woman Master Najrana Khan Eva (Rating-1829) and Woman FIDE Master Noshin Anjum (Rating-2027) and Umme Taslima Prativa Talukdar (Rating-1769). Grand Master Niaz Murshed has already reached Chennai.

Bangladesh team finished 9th in the 10-team Pool A in Division 2 of the FIDE Online World Chess Olympiad on Sunday.

Bangladesh team conceded defeat in all the three Pool A matches of Division 2 of the three-day FIDE Online World Chess Olympiad that began on Friday (August 14) at 2:00 PM Bangladeshi time. 

The Pool A matches of Division 2 of the FIDE Online World Chess Olympiad begins on Friday.