The 31-year-old Reefat earned his much-awaited third and final Grand Master norm in last April but he still needs 2500 rating points to fulfil the criteria. He is still eight points short of the mark.

After the tournament, the Bangladesh Chess Federation (BCF) will ask the FIDE Presidential board to approve his Grand Master status reviewing his ratings and norms.

The BCF general secretary Syed Sujauddin Ahmed said at a press conference yesterday that the nine-round Swiss League meet would be a great chance for Reefat to notch the remaining points.

"Actually, it was our target to create an opportunity for Reefat and I hope he can avail it," he said.

A total of one hundred players will play in the tournament split into two groups. Players rated higher than 2150 will compete in Group A which contains GMs Niaz Murshed and Ziaur Rahman. They are expected to fight it out with three International Masters and the FIDE Masters.

On the other hand, the below 2150-rating players will be placed in Group B.

Overseas Study Counseling Limited, the official representative of the British-based the University of Greenwich in Bangladesh, provided Tk 1.20 lakh to sponsor the meet.

"We are eyeing to continue sponsoring the event for at least five years and the amount could be doubled the next year," said Mushfiqur Rahman Mohan, the managing director of the local agents.