Staff Correspondent:

The distinguished figure in Bangladesh chess arena, Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman, was laid to rest beside his father’s grave at Mohammadpur Taj Mahal Road in the capital on Saturday afternoon.

The first funeral prayer for Ziaur was held at the Chess Federation premises at 11.30am on Saturday and from there, his body was taken to his home area in Mohammadpur.

After the Zuhr prayer, another funeral prayer took place at a local mosque, followed by his burial next to his father’s grave near Taj Mahal Road in the area.

Earlier on Friday, during the 12th round of the National Chess Championship, the 49-year-old Grandmaster faced off against another Grandmaster, Enamul Hossain Rajib. The match began at 3pm and lasted almost three hours before Ziaur collapsed at 5:52 PM.

Many, including his opponent, rushed to his aid and he was quickly taken to Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital in Shahbagh. Despite reaching the hospital from the Chess Federation in just nine minutes, efforts to revive him failed as he breathed his last before reaching at the hospital.

Ziaur participated in the national chess tournament this year with his son, Tahsin Tajwar, and his wife Labanya, who regularly supported him, was also present. He passed away in front of his two beloved family members, marking the loss of Bangladesh’s first Grandmaster.

The nation’s sports community is mourning Ziaur’s death. President Md. Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed their condolences.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), and other sports federations have also expressed their grief over the loss.