Grand Master Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh Navy maintained his sole lead in the Prime Bank 19th International Rating Chess Tournament securing full eight points after the 8th and penultimate round match held at Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room on Wednesday.Two players — CM Sohel Chowdhury of Sheikh Russel Memorial Sporting Club and Sharif Hossain of Bangladesh Navy — were in the 2nd position jointly collecting seven points each. Ten players shared the 3rd slot securing six points each. They are IM Abu Sufian Shakil of Golden Sporting Club, FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman Emon of Sheikh Russel Chess Club, Ikramul Haq Siam & SM Sharon of Bangladesh Navy, Uten, Masum Hossain of Fire Service & Civil Defence, Gias Uddin Mithu of Agrani Bank Daba Dal, Sk Rashedul Hasan, Feroz Ahmed and Mohammad Sariatullah of Sonargaon Chess Club. In the day’s 8th round matches, GM Zia beat Sharon while Sohel outplayed Mithu, Sharif defeated Shafiq Ahmed, IM Shakil drew with FM Emon, Siam trounced Mokaddesur Rahman Khan, Uten crushed Anisuzzaman Jewel, Feroz beat Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, Rezaul Islam Babu drew with Avizid Rahman, Masum Hossain beat Mohammad Manik, Jaber Al Hamid drew with Matiur Rahman Mamun, Sariatullah beat Afzal Hossain Sachchu and Rashed beat Mollah Mohiuddin. The 9th and the last round games will be held on Thursday from 11 am at the same venue. The prize distribution ceremony will also be held on the same day after last round matches.
