Latest news with #RaniHamid
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First Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
‘I used to beat Indians at will': Former legends on India's growing supremacy in chess
India's young chess players are making a global impact and it was evident in the recently-concluded Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament, where they gave tough fight to experienced stars. Here's what some of the legends said about India's growing dominance in chess. read more India's rise in chess is being noticed by the world now. The recently concluded Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament clearly showed that young Indian players are taking over and giving tough competition to experienced global stars at the biggest of stages. The tournament was organised by the Delhi Chess Association and saw more than 350 players, including Grandmasters, International Masters, and many rising Indian talents, take part. Several young Indians outperformed big international names during the event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta won the tournament, his record fourth title at the prestigious event. He scored 8.5 points out of 10 to win the trophy and a seven lakh prize money. Belarusian GM Mihail Nikitenko claimed second place and Indian GM Diptayan Ghosh won the third prize. Also Read: Carlsen takes a brutal dig at Gukesh, Erigaisi after winning Norway Chess: 'I can outplay the kids' It was very hard for me: Sanikidze One of the international players, 36-year-old Georgian GM Tornike Sanikidze, struggled to keep up. He was seeded 18th but finished 53rd. Speaking after the tournament, he said, 'This tournament is very beautiful and very hard. There are so many grandmasters, and so many kids. That makes it a very strong tournament. It was very hard for me.' 'I was here in 2013. Even then, I could see the new generation coming. Back then, I was rated 2518, and I left at 2513; that's how hard it was to play Indians. And now? Look at the top 10. There are four Indians. The world champion is Indian. That says everything.' Meanwhile, 50-year-old Slovak GM Mikulas Manik, was equally impressed with Indians. 'India has done remarkable work with its young talents. And it's only getting better. The chess quality here is improving at a rate that's hard to believe,' he said. Also Read: Hikaru Nakamura's WR Chess wins World Blitz Team Championship in controversial fashion: 'This whole appeal thing was a mess' I used to beat Indian girls at will: Rani Hamid Rani Hamid, the 80-year-old legendary chess player from Bangladesh, also shared her honest thoughts on Indian players. 'I used to beat Indian girls at will. It felt good back then. But now, look where India is, and where we are. The difference is too big.' 19-year-old Indian GM Gukesh Dommaraju is the current Chess World Champion. He defeated China's Ding Liren at the age of 18 to win the world title last year. Other Indian players like Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa , and Aravindh Chithambaram are also making waves in the chess world. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Exclusive: Bangladeshi chess player deported from India; 80-year-old legend Rani Hamid 'disturbed' by events
80-year-old Bangladeshi chess legend Rani Hamid NEW DELHI: Bangladesh's renowned 80-year-old chess player Sayeda Jasimunnessa Khatun, better known as Rani Hamid, arrived in India earlier this month to participate in the 21st edition of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament (June 7-14). The journey that began in high spirits took a troubling turn when her travel companion and compatriot, Ashiya Sultana, was denied entry into the country upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Sultana, 37, was reportedly blacklisted by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for participating in a chess tournament in Kolkata while on a medical visa during a previous visit. As a result, she was held at the Airport immigration centre overnight and denied access to her luggage. Subsequently, she was deported to Bangladesh the following day. The incident left Rani Hamid visibly shaken and emotionally distressed. 'I am very sad," Hamid told on the sidelines of the Delhi GM Open. "The person who came with me was not allowed to enter India. She was made to sit overnight at the immigration centre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo They did not even give her access to her luggage. The next day, she was forced to buy a return ticket at double the price,' she said. 'My mind is disturbed, and I am unable to focus on the game.' As a result of the unfortunate turn of events, Hamid (rated 1800+) has had a challenging run in the tournament so far, securing one win and one draw out of six rounds, all against lower-rated opponents. Hamid, who has long refrained from travelling alone for tournaments due to her growing age, added, 'I never travel alone. I always have someone with me. She was accompanying me, and now she is gone. I have been left alone.' Poll Do you think the immigration policies regarding sports participants need to be more transparent? Yes, definitely No, they are fine as is Not sure Speaking further on the situation, the 80-year-old, who became Bangladesh's first Woman International Master (WIM) in 1985, voiced deep concern over the apparent lack of coordination between the Indian and Bangladeshi authorities. 'Her passport was clear, all documents were in order, but immigration told her she had been blacklisted for playing in a previous tournament on a medical visa," Hamid continued. "At the time, she wasn't even aware that it was a violation. If she had been informed earlier, she would never have come. The Indian authorities should have notified the Bangladesh Chess Federation.' Bombay Sport Exchange Ep. 6: Harish Thawani on cricket's TV market and the watershed moments Hamid added that she pleaded with immigration officials for leniency. 'I requested them: if you believe she violated the rules, then impose a fine, $100, $200, whatever, but let her stay and play for seven days. She is not a criminal. She hasn't committed any crime. She didn't kill, steal, or rob anyone. Her only offence is that she played chess.' Despite the emotional strain, Rani Hamid, however, acknowledged the support and hospitality provided by the organising committee of the Delhi Chess Association (DCA). ALSO READ: Rs 50,000 a month and countless sacrifices: How India's chess future shapes up in Chennai hut With the tournament held at The Tivoli, a resort in Chhatarpur, Delhi, where international participants are also accommodated, it takes Hamid less than five minutes to walk from her room to the playing hall. 'It is very comfortable here. I can play only because of that comfort. I am very grateful to the organisers who sent tickets and invited us so warmly,' she said. DCA president Bharat Singh Chauhan described the incident as one of the many challenges that come with organising a major international event. "Visa issues are common for foreign players. In this case, the FRRO had blacklisted her. Perhaps she had previously come to India for medical treatment and ended up playing in a chess tournament, which may have led someone to file a complaint. As a result, she was denied entry. These kinds of challenges are part and parcel of hosting large-scale events," he explained.
