Ziaur Rahman, R.I.P.

Going out with one's boots on.

Bangladeshi GM Ziaur Rahman died a few days ago at the relatively early age of 50, suffering a heart attack (the chess player’s occupational hazard) in the middle of a game. It’s not the first time this has happened - I remember Vladimir Bagirov’s dying the same way (though he did survive until the next day before passing), and he wasn’t the first to suffer that fate either.

The “romantic” aspect of a professional chess player dying at the board, in the middle of a game, is overrated, and I’m sure Rahman’s loved ones would give almost anything to have another 30 years or more with him before he died in a more prosaic manner. My condolences to his family and friends - rest in peace.

There’s a nice tribute article to GM Rahman, here.