Veteran meets the future: Young guns enthrall BCF chess room

The Bangladesh Chess Federation's sports room came alive on Friday morning as Russian Grandmaster Petr Kiriakov took on 26 of the country's brightest under-14 chess talents in a thrilling simultaneous exhibition.

In an inspiring display of youthful talent and determination, 12-year-old Shayan Meerab Hasan of Dhaka Chess Academy stunned the audience by defeating the experienced Grandmaster. Woman FIDE Master Warsia Khushbu and young Safayet Kibria Azaan also earned hard-fought draws — remarkable feats against a player of Kiriakov's calibre.

Kiriakov, a 50-year-old Grandmaster, showed grace and encouragement throughout the session, moving from board to board and engaging the youngsters with warmth. In total, he won 23 games, drew two, and lost one — all in the spirit of learning and sportsmanship.

For Bangladesh's budding chess players, the experience was priceless — a rare chance to test their skills against a world-class opponent. Their performances not only demonstrated composure under pressure but also hinted at a bright future for the nation's chess scene.

Kiriakov is currently in Dhaka for a two-month stint, brought in by the Bangladesh Chess Federation. Since arriving on October 5, he has been training International Masters Fahad Rahman and Manon Reza — both set to compete in the upcoming World Cup in India — while also guiding other promising players. His stay continues until December 5, during which his mentorship aims to further elevate Bangladesh's standing on the international chess stage.