Bangladesh鈥檚 Woman Candidate Master Warsia Khusbu dreams of becoming the country鈥檚 first female Grandmaster by breaking all the barriers. At just 13, the young chess prodigy has already made her mark. Despite her talent and determination, financial struggles and a lack of institutional support threaten to derail her ambitions.
As the world observes International Women鈥檚 Day, 抖阴精品 highlights Khusbu鈥檚 fight for her chess glory.
鈥業 often hear, wait, you have time. Your moment will come鈥� Women鈥檚 empowerment isn鈥檛 about waiting, it鈥檚 about acting now. It鈥檚 about making our mark when we are ready, not when the world thinks we should be,鈥� Khusbu told 抖阴精品.
鈥業n 2026, people will again say, you鈥檙e only 14; you have time. And the cycle will continue. This is why many Bangladeshi girls struggle to achieve their dreams. We are told to wait, to stay silent, to accept limitations.鈥�
Born in Dhaka, Khusbu started her playing career at the age of five in 2017 and became WCM after finishing fifth in the Asian Zone 3.2 Chess Championship in 2023.
Khusbu started to take part in the national and international age level competitions in 2018, and so far has won 14 medals 鈥� six gold, five silver and three bronze.聽
Her next target is to become a Woman International Master by the end of 2025, skipping the FIDE Master step.
She already meets the rating requirement with 2005 points鈥攆ive more than the required 2000 needed for WIM status. However, she must also secure three WIM norms by competing in international tournaments.
Khusbu is eligible to participate in the next six international tournaments to be held in four countries鈥攖hree in Sri Lanka and one each in Tajikistan, Mongolia, and Thailand鈥攂etween March and November 2025.
Despite having a chance and eligibility, the financial constraints and lack of support from the Bangladesh Chess Federation could keep her away from competing.
鈥業 can鈥檛 plan to compete internationally in 2025 because I don鈥檛 have the financial support,鈥� said Khusbu, the eldest of the two daughters of Mehedi Kaiser, who has been jobless for one and a half years.
She also has no confirmation from the federation whether she will be included in the Sri Lanka-bound team.
鈥業 am tired of being told to wait, and you have time from the federation. And in that way I missed chances several times. I applied through the federation to compete in Zone 3.2 (in Sri Lanka) this time but did not get any response yet,鈥� said Khusbu.
As she desires to become Grandmaster one day, she practices around five hours a day without a trainer. But despite all of the obstacles, she refuses to give up on her dream.聽
鈥業 believe this is why Bangladesh has yet to produce a Woman Grandmaster. But I will fight for my dreams. The road is harder, but I鈥檓 hopeful. I train with whatever resources I have,鈥� she added.
