Shafiq Ahmed of Golden Chess Club continued his winning streak in the Berger Paints 39th National ‘A’ Chess Championship as he defeated Md Jamal yesterday to keep his solo lead at the top of the points table after 3rd round. Grandmasters Zia, Rakib and International Master Sagar shared the second spot.
Shafiq played with black pieces with Dutch defense and won the game after 45 moves at the media centre of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA). With maximum 3 points, Shafiq will have real test today when he faces GM Rakib in the 4th round.
However, GMs Ziaur Rahman and Abdullah Al Rakib also registered victories in their respective third round match yesterday. Zia, who played with black pieces, beat Mohammed Hafizul Islam Chapal while Rakib played with white pieces in Torre attack and beat Debaraj in 35 moves. IM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar beat IM Abu Sufian Shakil.
Reigning champion GM Niaz Murshed, placed third, drew with Razib. Niaz offered draw after 23 moves but Razib refused and continued the game before Razib agreed to the proposal in the 33rd move.
In the day’s other games, Fide Master Mehdi Hasan Parag of Access Group beat his teammate FM Kh Aminul Islam and FM Sk Nasir Ahmed drew with FM Mohammad Javed.
