International Master Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar emerged as the champion of the Bishal Trade &Rupahali Sarees 39th National ‘B’ Chess Championship despite being held to a draw with Shakil in the last and 11th round at the Chess Federation hall room yesterday.
Sagar, who was representing Dhaka Mohammedan, earned 9.5 points from 11 rounds to clinch the title. Fide Master Sk Nasir Ahmed of Titas Club finished second with nine points after beating Jamal on the final day.
International Master Abu Sufian Shakil clinched third spot and Fide Master Kh Aminul Islam of Access Group came in 4th. Eight players shared the fifth spot with eight points.
Meanwhile, the top nine finishers - Sagar, Nasir, Shakil, Amin, Debaraj, Javed, Parag, Shafiq and Jamal qualified for the National “A” Chess Championship-2013. Reigning Champion Grand Master Niaz Murshed, last edition’s runner-up GM Ziaur Rahman, GM Reefat Bin Sattar, GM Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib and GM Enamul Hossain Razib have already qualified for the final phase of the tournament.