GM Rahman in clear lead after 9

GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh Biman kept solo lead in the Mercantile Bank 35th National Chess Championship securing full nine points after the 9th round matches at the Chess Federation hall-room on Wednesday.

GM Reefat Bin Sattar, also from Biman, is in the 2nd slot with 7.5 points.

In the 9th round match, Reefat drew with Mohammad Ali. Reefat played

with white pieces against Sicilian defense of Ali and settled for a draw in the 52nd move.

GM Enamul Hossain Razib of Destiny 2000 is in the 3rd position with 6 points and FM Abu Sufian Shakil is in 4th position with 5.5 points.

In the day’s round, Razib beat Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan of Farashganj. Razib played with white pieces against Caro-Kann defense of Mostafa and the game continued to Advance Variation and Razib won the match after 43 moves.

Shakil beat Jamaluddin of Mymensingh. Shakil played with white pieces against Sicilian defense of Jamal and won the match in 44th move.

In the other 9th round matches, Debaraj Chatterjee of Destiny beat Mohammad Hasan Imam of Air Destiny, Mahtabuddin Ahmed Robin of Titas Club beat Aminul Islam Polash of Air Destiny and FM Taibur Rahman of Destiny drew with teammate FM Mohammad Javed.

The 10th round matches will be held today (Thursday) from 3:30 pm at the same venue.

The 10th round matches: Ali vs Taibur, Hasan vs. Javed, Robin vs. Debaraj, Mostafa vs. Polash, Jamal vs. Razib and Reefat vs Zia.