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TL;DR
- Manon Reza Neer, 14, becomes Bangladesh’s youngest International Master (IM) in chess
- Neer secured his third and final IM norm at a Grandmaster tournament in Budapest, Hungary
- He aims to become Bangladesh’s sixth Grandmaster within the next two years and ultimately become the world champion
- Neer’s historic achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring chess players across the nation
Manon Reza Neer, a 14-year-old chess prodigy from Narayanganj, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the youngest International Master (IM) in Bangladesh. Neer secured his third and final IM norm at a Grandmaster tournament in Budapest, Hungary, breaking the previous record held by Grandmaster Niaz Morshed.
At just 14 years and 3 months old, Neer has surpassed Morshed’s record, who earned the IM title at the age of 15 years and 5 months. To become an International Master, a player must attain a rating of 2400 and secure three norms. Neer’s current rating exceeds 2400, allowing him to officially receive the title without delay.
During the tournament in Hungary, Neer demonstrated his exceptional skills by securing 6 points out of 8 games. This impressive performance not only earned him his final IM norm but also puts him on the path to potentially securing his first Grandmaster norm if he defeats Hungary’s Pécs Blázs in his next game.
Neer’s journey to this historic achievement began last July when, at the tender age of 14, he clinched the national championship title. His victory in the 48th National Chess Championship saw him finish undefeated, ahead of three Grandmasters. However, the young prodigy’s triumph was overshadowed by the sudden demise of his mentor, Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman, during the championship.
“Zia sir was my closest rival in the just-concluded championship, I was ahead by only one point. He probably would have been happy to see me to become champion as I had once trained under him for 11 successive days, travelling from Narayanganj to his Mohammadpur resident,” Neer shared in an interview with The Daily Star.
Neer’s success in the 21st Bangkok Chess Club Open in April, where he secured 6.5 points out of 9 and earned his first IM norm, played a crucial role in his championship victory. His second IM norm came from the recently concluded national championship.
Looking ahead, Neer has set his sights on even greater goals. His ultimate ambition is to become the world champion, a challenging but not impossible feat. In the short term, he aims to secure the IM title officially and then work towards becoming Bangladesh’s sixth Grandmaster within the next two years. To achieve these goals, Neer acknowledges the need for financial support, sponsorship, and further training.
As Neer continues to make strides in the world of chess, his historic achievement as Bangladesh’s youngest International Master serves as an inspiration to aspiring chess players across the nation. With his exceptional talent, dedication, and the support of his mentors and family, Manon Reza Neer is poised to make a lasting impact on the global chess community.
