Reigning champion, Women’s International Master Rani Hamid of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party maintained her lead in the standing with 7.5 points after the penultimate 8th round games of the Marcel Refrigerator 39th National Women's Chess Championship Thursday.
The tournament is being sponsored by Walton Group and organized by Bangladesh Chess Federation.
WIM Sharmin Sultana Shirin of Janata Bank Officer Welfare Society and Women’s Fide Master Nazrana Khan Eva of Manikganj are jointly in second position with seven points each.
Ahmed Walijah is in third position with six points.