GM Ziaur Rahman (L) takes on CM Manon Reja Neer in their ninth round game of the Asian Zonal Chess Championship 2021 at the Asia Hotel and Resorts in the city on Wednesday. — Courtesy photo

Bangladesh Grand Master Ziaur Rahman qualified for the FIDE World Cup Chess 2021 after he emerged unbeaten champion in the Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championship, which was held on online platform and concluded on Wednesday.

The FIDE World Cup Chess 2021 is scheduled to be held from July 10 to August 3 in Sochi, Russia.

Zia won the title after gaining eight points from nine games while another Bangladeshi Grand Master Enamul Hossain Razib finished runners-up with 7.5 points.

In the last round of games, Zia drew against candidate master Manon Reja Neer while Razib drew against Sri Lanka's CM Liyanage Ranindu Dilshan.

‘It was a tensed situation today [Wednesday] as me and Razib both had the chance to qualify. If Razib won the game against the Sri Lankan, he would have qualified. But he [Razib] played out a draw,’ said Zia after the match.

‘Finally, luck favoured me and now I will try to perform well in the World Cup.’

A total of 39 players from five countries — Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka —took part in the meet from their respective venues to earn a single spot in the FIDE World Cup Chess from Asian Zonal 3.2.