IUB Mittens, the chess team of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), has been crowned Division Champions in the prestigious Collegiate Chess League (CCL) Fall 2024, competing against over 370 teams from 180 colleges worldwide.

Led by Amit Bikram Roy, a 2100-rated player from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of IUB, and mentored by South Asia’s first Grandmaster, Niaz Murshed, the IUB Mittens showcased excellent teamwork and determination. The team consisted of Aimaan Saad Hamid (Computer Science and Engineering), Justin Mathias Baroi (General Management), Kazi Navid Tahmid (Accounting), Arian Rahman (Accounting), and Mehrab Al Maksud (English Language Teaching), each contributing unique strengths that shaped this triumphant journey.

The tournament, organized by Chess.com, ran from September 28 to November 9, followed by intense playoffs from November 16 to November 24. In the group stage, the IUB Mittens faced fierce competition, battling teams such as the National University of Singapore (NUS, Singapore), Asia Pacific University Team B (Malaysia), University of Bath (UK), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA), University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and Toronto Metropolitan University (Canada). Demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, the team emerged victorious, advancing to the knockout rounds.

In the playoffs, Mittens defeated the University of Bath (UK) in the quarterfinals and Asia Pacific University (Malaysia) in the semifinals, paving the way for a thrilling final match against Washington University in St. Louis (USA). In an intense and closely contested battle, the IUB Mittens showcased brilliant strategies and focus to clinch the championship title.

The Mittens extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported their journey and look forward to achieving even greater heights in the future.

BDST: 1425 HRS, DEC 15, 2024
MSK