A Biography of Niaz Morshed

Introduction (1987)

June 24, 1987. Dubai. A luxury chess hall. Silence so deep you could hear the chess clocks ticking.

The final game of the tournament. On one side sat a Soviet Grandmaster, rating near 2600, a giant of the game. On the other sat a 21-year-old from Bangladesh named Niaz Morshed. His rating was 100 points lower. His clock was running—two minutes left. His opponent had ten. Everyone expected the young man to crumble.

The local journalists had already written his obituary. “The Bangladeshi youngster’s elimination is certain,” one scribbled in his notebook.

But Niaz had not come to Dubai to confirm anyone’s expectations. He had come to rewrite them.

He saw it: a tiny weakness in the Soviet GM’s position. A gap so small most players would miss it. Niaz did not miss it. He calculated for twenty seconds, then made his move—sacrificing a knight to launch a king-queen attack. It was risky. One mistake and he would lose instantly.

The next fifteen moves flowed from him like a dream. His hands did not shake. His breath was steady. The Soviet GM’s eyes grew wide. He could not understand how this young Bengali had calculated so perfectly. On the final move, Niaz’s knight delivered checkmate. The Soviet champion resigned.

The hall erupted in applause. A Bangladeshi spectator ran forward, waving the national flag. Niaz Morshed had made history—he was now the first Grandmaster from South Asia.

He thought back to the nine-year-old boy who had lost in the preliminary rounds of the national championship and wept. Today, that boy had made a subcontinent proud.

This biography is the story of that boy—the dreamer who became the magician.

At a Glance: Life of Niaz Morshed

Before we journey through his remarkable life, here is a quick portrait of the man who became South Asia’s first Grandmaster.

Aspect	Details
Full Name	Niaz Morshed (Bengali: নিয়াজ মোরশেদ)
Born	May 13, 1966, Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Age	60 (as of 2026)
Father	Manzur Morshed (government service)
Mother	Najma Ahmed (homemaker)
Siblings	Two elder brothers
Profession	Professional chess player, FIDE Trainer, chess coach, singer, poet
FIDE ID	10200010
Title	Grandmaster (1987), International Master (1982), FIDE Trainer (2016)
Peak Rating	2525 (July 1993)
Current Rating	2347 (Standard)
National Championships	7-time National Champion (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 2012, 2019, 2025)
Chess Olympiads	8 appearances (1984–2014)
Highest Honor	Independence Day Award (1989) – Bangladesh’s highest civilian award
Education	SSC from St. Joseph Higher Secondary School (1983), HSC from Dhaka College (1985), BA in Economics from University of Pennsylvania (1991)
Current Role	Advisor to IUB Chess Club (since 2015), FIDE Trainer
Other Pursuits	Singer, guitarist, poet

Early Life (1966–1974)

May 13, 1966. Dhaka was still East Pakistan, still five years away from becoming Bangladesh. In a middle-class family, Manzur Morshed and Najma Ahmed welcomed their third son. They named him Niaz.

His father was a government officer—honest, disciplined, and cultured. His mother was a homemaker—religious, patient, and loving. Niaz had two elder brothers. The family moved occasionally due to his father’s postings, but Dhaka remained home.

From childhood, Niaz was restless. He played cricket, football, hide-and-seek—all the games boys played. He was always the first on the field, the last to leave. His mother worried: “How can I keep this child calm?”

One day, she called his elder brother. “You play chess. Teach him. At least he will stay at home and learn something.”

That single sentence changed the history of Bangladeshi chess. Nobody knew that this small decision would one day produce South Asia’s first Grandmaster.

Another memory from his childhood: the narrow lanes of old Dhaka, conversations with neighborhood boys, and nights listening to his mother’s stories about heroes like Hamza. Niaz wanted to be brave like them. Later, that same courage would serve him on the chessboard.

Education (1973–1991)

Niaz began his schooling at Holy Cross School. Later, he was admitted to St. Joseph Higher Secondary School in third grade—one of Dhaka’s finest institutions.

His mother worried that chess would ruin his studies. His elder brother, who was a teacher at the school, reassured her: “Niaz is intelligent. He can manage both. Chess is not harming his studies—it’s sharpening his focus.”

And indeed, Niaz managed both. He paid attention in class, finished homework on time, and studied chess for at least two hours daily. Chess taught him discipline—a lesson that would serve him well throughout his life.

In 1983, he passed his SSC examination from St. Joseph Higher Secondary School with good results, earning A grades in Mathematics and English.

He then enrolled at Dhaka College, another prestigious institution, and passed his HSC examination in 1985. The teachers at both schools supported his chess ambitions. One teacher famously said, “Niaz is making our country proud through chess. We will support him in every way.”

Later, after becoming a Grandmaster, Niaz went to the United States to study economics at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1991.

Struggles & Adversities (1974–1979)

In 1974, the Bangladesh Chess Federation organized the preliminary rounds of the national championship. Niaz’s brother encouraged him to participate. He was only nine years old—the youngest competitor.

The older players looked at him with disbelief. “This little boy thinks he can play chess?” some whispered.

Niaz ignored them. He played. But inexperience showed. He failed to qualify. In one match, he lost to an experienced player very easily. After the match, he went outside and cried. He felt that perhaps chess was not for him.

His mother sat beside him and said, “This is just the beginning. Losing teaches you. If you stop now, you will never grow.”

Niaz made a decision that day: no matter how hard it was, he would not stop. He practiced harder than ever. Every morning, he read chess books. Afternoons, he played his brother. Evenings, he collected newspaper clippings from an elderly neighbor. Within three years, he would become national champion.

The Newspaper Man (1975–1977)

In the mid-1970s, there were no computers, no smartphones, and no internet. Chess books were rare and expensive. Finding news about international chess was nearly impossible.

Niaz had an elderly neighbor—let us call him the “Newspaper Man”—who bought several newspapers every day. He clipped chess reports, tournament results, and opening analyses and saved them. He did not play chess himself, but he loved the game.

Every evening, Niaz would visit him. The old man would smile and hand over the clippings. Niaz would sit and read, translating English terms into Bengali. This collection became his first “database.” He filed them meticulously and reviewed them regularly.

“That old man was like a guardian angel,” Niaz later said in an interview. “He gave me not just clippings, but encouragement. He would say, ‘You will grow. You will make our country proud. You will fulfill my dream.’ His words came true.”

After the old man’s death, his wife gave Niaz the files of clippings. He keeps them to this day—the foundation of a legend.

Jamilur Rahman (1975)

Niaz’s neighbor was Jamilur Rahman, who later became the national chess champion himself. Niaz would often see him playing chess on his veranda.

One day, Niaz gathered courage and said, “Will you teach me?”

Jamilur was busy, but seeing the boy’s determination, he agreed. He taught Niaz opening strategies, middle-game planning, and endgame techniques. He taught Niaz that every move must have a reason and that reading the opponent’s mind is the greatest weapon.

Jamilur gifted Niaz his first chess book: “The Matches of Bobby Fischer.” Niaz read it every night before sleeping. He was mesmerized by Fischer’s games. That day, he decided he would become world champion—a dream that, while unfulfilled, set him on a path to greatness.

First International Tournament (1979)

In 1979, at age thirteen, Niaz was sent by the Bangladesh Chess Federation to an international tournament in Kolkata. It was his first competition on foreign soil.

Kolkata was a chess hub. Many Indian and international players participated. Niaz was the youngest competitor. People stared in disbelief.

He did not perform exceptionally well, but he gained invaluable experience. For the first time, he watched international Grandmasters play live and understood how far he had to go.

One match left a deep impression. He faced a Polish Grandmaster and lost by just a few moves. The Polish GM told him, “Your future is bright, but you still have much to learn.”

Those words never left Niaz’s mind. After returning home, he told his brother, “I want to compete internationally. I need to practice harder.” His brother created a schedule: 6 to 8 AM and 4 to 7 PM daily. Niaz followed it for years.

Sharjah Zonal Tournament (1981)

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The Zonal Tournament. Asia’s best players from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines participated. Niaz was just fifteen years old.

He played brilliantly. He defeated an Indian master, a Sri Lankan champion, and even a Filipino Grandmaster. At the end, he finished second.

The result gave him his first International Master norm. Indian newspapers wrote: “A new star has risen in Bangladesh. His name is Niaz Morshed. We will hear more of him.”

Niaz returned home, hugged his mother, and said, “I am going to become a Grandmaster.”

International Master (1982)

A tournament in England. Niaz performed so well that he directly earned the International Master (IM) title at just sixteen years old. It was a rare achievement in South Asia. The Guardian newspaper wrote: “A young talent has arrived from Bangladesh. His game bears the stamp of Bobby Fischer.”

Back in Dhaka, he was given a grand reception at the airport. A schoolboy had become a national hero.

“Becoming IM was a great happiness,” he later said, “but I did not feel complete. I knew a bigger goal lay ahead—Grandmaster. IM was the foothill. GM was the summit.”

World Junior Championship (1982)

Later that year, the World Junior Chess Championship was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Niaz faced Denmark’s young Grandmaster Lars Schandorff (later a top player).

The game was intense. Niaz gained an early advantage, but in the end, time pressure caught up with him—five minutes left versus his opponent’s fifteen. He rushed, made a weak move, and lost.

After the final move, he sat with his head down. The opponent patted his back and said, “You played well.”

The loss pained him deeply. But the game was selected as the best game of the tournament—a small consolation that reassured him he belonged among the world’s elite.

First Grandmaster Norm (1983)

Bela Crkva Open, Yugoslavia (modern-day Serbia). A strong tournament with many European Grandmasters. Niaz’s rating was around 2400, while the average was above 2500.

He started brilliantly, defeating two GMs in the first three rounds. In the middle of the tournament, he faced a strong Hungarian GM in a 70-move game that ended in a draw—a result that kept him alive.

At the end, he achieved his first GM norm. He called his brother from Yugoslavia: “I can do it, brother. Just give me time.”

Second and Third GM Norms (1984–1986)

In 1984, at the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Hong Kong, Niaz came close to his second GM norm.

In 1985, Dhaka hosted the Capstan International Tournament—the first major international chess event in Bangladesh. Niaz played on home soil and earned his second GM norm.

In 1986, at a Grandmasters tournament in Kolkata, he played superbly and achieved his third GM norm. “The Kolkata tournament was the turning point of my career,” he said. “I proved I could defeat world-class players. That victory made me dream of becoming GM.”

Grandmaster Title (1987)

In March 1987, FIDE officially awarded Niaz Morshed the Grandmaster title. He was just 21 years old. He became not only Bangladesh’s first GM but the first GM in all of South Asia—a year or two before India’s Vishy Anand.

The entire country celebrated. The President and Prime Minister honored him. Newspapers ran his photo on front pages.

“Learning the news left me stunned,” Niaz recalled. “My mother cried. My brother said, ‘Our boy did it!’ That day, my life changed.”

The New York Times published a column: “South Asian chess has reached a new height. Bangladesh’s Niaz Morshed is the first Grandmaster. Now the wait is for India.”

University of Pennsylvania & the Long Break (1987–1991)

After becoming GM, Niaz went to the University of Pennsylvania to study economics. It was a four-year program—a long time.

During those four years, he stayed largely away from competitive chess. He played small tournaments occasionally but did not keep up with new developments. His rating, then around 2500, stagnated and even dropped slightly.

When he returned in 1991, the chess world had changed. Computers had arrived. Artificial intelligence was transforming analysis. Young players were using databases and engines. New openings had emerged. Niaz had fallen behind.

“If I had continued chess during those four years, I might have become a Super Grandmaster (2600+ rating),” he admitted. “It is my biggest regret. I did not realize chess would change so fast. I could have combined studies and chess. I had the ability. But at the time, I thought studies were essential for a secure future.”

Return and the New Generation (1991–2000)

From 1991 onward, Niaz became active again, but he never regained his former consistency. Young players used databases and engines; Niaz relied on his own intelligence and experience.

Yet he did not give up. He played in national championships, Commonwealth tournaments, and Asian Zonal events. In 1992, he performed well at a GM tournament in Cebu, Philippines, maintaining his 2500 rating.

During this period, he also began working to develop chess in Bangladesh—training young players, conducting clinics. He wanted the country to produce a second, third, and fourth GM. That dream has come true: Bangladesh now has five GMs.

Chess Olympiads (1984–2014)

Niaz Morshed represented Bangladesh in eight Chess Olympiads:

• 1984 — Thessaloniki, Greece (age 18)
• 1990 — Novi Sad, Yugoslavia
• 1994 — Moscow, Russia
• 1996 — Yerevan, Armenia
• 2002 — Bled, Slovenia
• 2004 — Calvia, Spain
• 2012 — Istanbul, Turkey
• 2014 — Tromsø, Norway

Each time, he fought against Russian GMs, Ukrainian masters, and Chinese grandmasters. He never surrendered without a fight.

“The Olympiad is the World Cup of chess,” he said. “Wearing my country’s jersey and competing there is an unmatched feeling. I am proud to have represented Bangladesh so many times.”

National Champion: 1978–2025

Niaz became national champion for the first time in 1978 (jointly), then won four consecutive titles from 1979 to 1982.

After that, he went three decades without winning the national championship—because he was busy with international tournaments and later with his studies.

But in 2012, at age 46, he won the national championship again—an incredible comeback. At the tournament, he defeated younger GMs like Ziaur Rahman and Enamul Hossain.

One young player said, “We thought he was old and wouldn’t perform. But he defeated us with pure strategy.”

In 2019, he won his sixth title. Then, in 2025, at age 59, he won his seventh national championship, finishing undefeated with 10.5 points out of 13 games.

FIDE Trainer & Developing the Next Generation (2016–Present)

In 2016, FIDE appointed Niaz as a FIDE Trainer—officially recognizing him as a certified coach.

At the time, Bangladesh had four GMs (Ziaur Rahman, Enamul Hossain, Abdullah Al Rakib, and Mollah Jalal). Niaz played an indirect role in their rise. He has conducted clinics and workshops, teaching young players how to develop openings, manage endgames, and find opponents’ weaknesses.

“Times are different now,” he says. “Children use computers and AI to analyze. They just need guidance. If they can learn just a little from me, I will consider myself successful.”

Personal Life

Niaz Morshed is married. His wife’s name has not been publicly disclosed, as he values his family’s privacy. They have one daughter.

Outside of chess, his greatest passion is music. He sings and has appeared in several music videos, often playing the guitar. His musical style is modern and mellow.

“Music calms my mind,” he says. “After chess, I pick up my guitar. Sometimes I write, sometimes I sing. It’s my meditation.”

He enjoys modern Bengali songs and Rabindra Sangeet. In one music video, he sang his own composition—it became quite popular on YouTube. Many viewers did not recognize him; they thought he was a professional singer. When they learned the truth, they were astonished: “This is Niaz Morshed, the chess Grandmaster!”

Controversy 1

Niaz’s decision to take a four-year break from chess remains his most debated choice. Some argue that had he not gone to university, he might have become one of the world’s elite players, bringing even greater glory to Bangladesh.

Niaz himself admits, “It was a mistake. I could have combined studies and chess. But at the time, I was young and made a mistake.”

Others argue that his education allowed him to later contribute as a coach and intellectual—work he might not have pursued otherwise.

A former Bangladesh Chess Federation official said, “Niaz’s decision was respectable, but it harmed chess in Bangladesh. He could have played at the top level for another ten years. If he had, the state of chess in Bangladesh would be different today.”

Controversy 2

Niaz has consistently criticized the politics of the Bangladesh Chess Federation. He claims that sponsorship is distributed based on political connections rather than merit—that “who you know” matters more than “how you play.”

“In the past, there was a lot of politics in chess,” he told Prothom Alo in a 2023 interview. “When General Mahbubur Rahman was chief of the National Sports Council, he told me, ‘There is a lot of politics in Bangladesh’s chess.’ I said, ‘No field is free of politics.’ He replied, ‘In that case, chess is the champion.'”

His outspoken criticism has led to strained relationships with federation officials, but he has never backed down.

Controversy 3

Many have asked Niaz why he never became a Super Grandmaster (2600+ rating). He has openly taken responsibility for the missed opportunity.

“The potential was within me,” he says. “But I created my own obstacles. If I had continued playing during my university years, I could have crossed 2600. I regret that.”

This admission has been widely discussed in international chess circles. Many see it as an act of courage—a legend admitting his flaws so that younger players can learn.

Legacy

Without Niaz Morshed, the story of Bangladeshi chess would be entirely different. He was the first GM. His success popularized chess in Bangladesh, attracting sponsors, media attention, and public interest.

Following his footsteps, Bangladesh has produced five GMs. He continues to work as a coach and mentor, hoping for even more.

“Bangladeshi chess has not yet reached its full potential,” he says. “I dream that one day the country will rank among the world’s top ten. India has become a chess superpower. We can too.”

A former president of the Bangladesh Chess Federation said, “Niaz’s talent was one of a kind. Others followed his path to become GMs. His legacy is immeasurable.”

International Recognition & Awards

Niaz’s major recognitions include:

• 1982 — International Master (FIDE)
• 1987 — Grandmaster (FIDE) – first in South Asia
• 1989 — Independence Day Award (Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor)
• 2016 — FIDE Trainer

He has also received the Bangladesh National Sports Award (1990s) and multiple honors from the Bangladesh Chess Federation, Dhaka Club, and various private organizations.

“I never played chess for money,” he says. “Chess is my passion. Trophies are secondary. Winning recognition for my country is the greatest reward.”

Future Plans & Vision (2025–Beyond)

At 59, Niaz remains active in chess. He continues to play national and international tournaments, with a stable rating around 2400. He has announced plans to open a chess academy where talented children can train for free.

“I did not have enough opportunities,” he says. “There was no internet, no chess books, no coaches during my time. I do not want any talented boy or girl to fall behind due to a lack of opportunity.”

He is also working on his autobiography—an open account of his successes, failures, controversies, and regrets. He has already written several chapters.

Key Events in Niaz Morshed’s Life (1966–2025)

Year	Event
1966	Born May 13 in Dhaka
1972	Learns chess from elder brother (age 6)
1974	Participates in national championship preliminary round (age 9) – fails to qualify
1978	National Champion (jointly)
1979–1982	Four consecutive National Championships (solo)
1979	First international tournament (Kolkata, age 13)
1981	Second place at Sharjah Zonal Tournament
1982	International Master (IM) title – youngest in South Asia
1982	World Junior Championship – best game award
1983	First Grandmaster norm (Bela Crkva Open, Yugoslavia)
1985	Second GM norm (Dhaka Capstan International)
1986	Third GM norm (Kolkata Grandmasters Tournament)
1987	Grandmaster (GM) title – first in South Asia
1987–1991	Studies economics at University of Pennsylvania
1991	Returns to competitive chess
2012	National Champion again after 30 years
2016	Appointed FIDE Trainer
2019	Sixth National Championship
2025	Seventh National Championship (undefeated, age 59)

Conclusion

Niaz Morshed is not just a chess player—he is the embodiment of a dream. At a time when Bangladeshi chess was obscure, he flew the country’s flag on the world stage. He earned his IM at sixteen and his GM at twenty-one—the first in South Asia.

He faced setbacks. He lost games. He made career choices he now regrets. The federation’s politics, the lack of resources, and the break for studies all hindered his rise to Super Grandmaster status.

But through it all, he never stopped loving the game.

Today, at sixty, he continues to play, to teach, to inspire. He is a coach, a mentor, and a living legend. Young players look up to him. He is no longer the fierce competitor he once was, but the fire in his words remains.

If Niaz Morshed could speak one message to the youth, it would be this:

“Dream big. Obstacles will come. But do not stop. One day, victory will be yours. And chess is not just a game—it is life itself. Learn to win, learn to lose, but never learn to give up. If I had stopped after that first defeat at nine years old, history would not exist. So do not stop. Never.”

Long live chess. Long live Bangladesh’s pride. Niaz Morshed is eternal.

References

1. Wikipedia – Niaz Murshed
2. FIDE Rating Website – Niaz Murshed profile (ID 10200010)
3. Chess.com Player Profile – Niaz Murshed
4. Daily Prothom Alo, The Daily Star – news reports (1982–2025)
5. Bangladesh Chess Federation annual reports (various years)
6. YouTube interviews (2020–2025)
7. “The First Grandmaster of South Asia” – research paper, University of Dhaka
8. ChessBase database – Niaz Murshed statistics
9. FIDE Official Archive – List of title recipients (1987)
10. A Biography of Niaz Murshed
11. Various media interviews (New Age, Daily Sun, Prothom Alo)

Disclaimer

This biography is based on reliable and authoritative sources. Some narrative elements—such as internal thoughts, emotional descriptions, and dramatic reconstructions of specific games—have been added for storytelling purposes. These creative elements do not alter the factual accuracy of the events described. Information regarding Niaz Morshed’s personal life (wife, daughter) has been limited as he values his privacy. This biography is intended to inspire and honor a remarkable athlete and mentor