Monon Reza Neer and Wadifa Ahmed have clinched maiden berths in the Chess World Cup after winning Zonal Chess Championship (Zone 3.2) titles in Colombo, Sri Lanka yesterday.

There was triple delight for Wadifa, who not only won the women's championship but also earned the status of a Women's International Master alongside earning a place in the Chess World Cup.

Speaking to The Daily Star over phone after the feat, Wadifa said: "I'm thrilled after winning the championship. I can't describe how I am happy. I had come here with the target of becoming champion as I could not do well in past two championships held in Bangladesh.

"After becoming WIM, my target is to become the first WGM in the country," added the 17-year-old, who had already won two WIM norms before this event and finished with seven points after drawing her last round match against WIM Rani Hamid in the final round.

International Master Neer, meanwhile, won the championship in the open section with seven points after drawing against Sri Lanka's Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage in the ninth and final round.

FIDE Master Tahsin Tajwar Zia, who led the table till the sixth round, finished second with 6.5 points after beating Sanuk Nanayakkara, however, the son of late GM Ziaur Rahman earned an IM norm -- his second overall -- after having secured his first in the last Asian Zonal Championship.

The upcoming edition of the Chess World Cup is scheduled to be played in New Delhi, India in October-November this year.