GM Ziaur Rahman of Biman is once again in solo lead of the Berger Grandmasters Chess tournament with 5.5 points after end of the eighth round at the Tulip Lounge of Uttara Club yesterday.
FM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar of Destiny 2000 is in second position with five points while GM Niaz Murshed and FM Abu Sufian Shakil of Biman hold joint third position with 4.5 points each.
In yesterday’s eighth round games, Zia beat Parag in 14 moves. Sagar drew with GM Vakhidov Tair of Uzbekistan. Sagar now needs only a draw from his ninth round game to win a second IM norm.
Shakil, who needs a win in his last round game against Zia for a first IM norm, drew with Bitan Banerjee of India yesterday.
Niaz drew with IM Sahaj Grover of India. FM Sayatan Das of India drew with FM Yee Soon Wei of Brunei.
