Shafiq Ahmed of Golden Chess Club retained the solo lead in Berger Paints 39th National ‘A’ Chess Championship securing full two points after beating Hafizul Islam Chapal of Dhaka City in the 2nd round match at the Media Centre of Bangladesh Olympic Association on Sunday. Two Grandmasters—reigning champion GM Niaz Murshed and runner-up GM Ziaur Rahman of Dhaka Mohammedan, won their 2nd round matches. In the day’s 2nd round,
Niaz beat FM Mehdi Hasan Parag of Access Group while Zia beat FM Mohammed Javed of Access Group.
Two other Grandmasters of Duronto Rajshahi—Abdullah Al Rakib and Enamul Hosain Razib—drew with each other in the day’s 2nd round matches.
In the other matches, IM Minhazuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh Ansar beat FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed of Titas Club; Jamal Ahmed of Titas Club drew with FM Debaraj Chatterjee of Access Group; while FM Khondakar Aminul Islam of Ansar was playing against IM Abu Sufian Shakil of Access Group when last report was received.
-With New Age input
