The Begum Laila Alam 14th International Women's Rating Chess tournament was inaugurated today (Thursday) at Banani, Dhaka. The tournament was formally opened by Begum Laila Alam, sponsored by the veteran chess player herself and organized by the Bangladesh Chess Federation (BCF). The opening ceremony was presided over by BCF General Secretary Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim.

Several notable figures from the chess community attended the ceremony, including International Woman Master Rani Hamid, BCF Joint Secretary Masudur Rahman Mallick, BCF Member Anjaman Ara Aksir, International Organiser Mahmuda Haque Chowdhury Moly, and International Chess Arbiter Md Haroon-Or-Rashid.

The tournament, which will commence on May 5 at the BCF hall-room, welcomes women and girls of all ages to participate. It will feature a nine-round Swiss-League format, with the top 9 players earning the opportunity to advance to the finals of the national women's chess championship.

A total cash prize of Taka 100,000 will be awarded to the winners of the competition.