Eva lifts national chess title

Women's Fide Master Nazrana Khan Eva clinched the National Women's Chess Championship title after 16 years despite being held to a draw in the final round at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room on Friday. Eva needed a draw in the 11th and last round of the tournament's 36th edition and the woman from Manikganj drew with Aahelee Sarkar of Mohila Daba Samity to become the champion for the second time. Eva, who has been taking part in the competition since 1996 and won the national women's chess title back in 2000, earned 9.5 points after the end of 11 rounds. Last year's runners-up WFM Sharmin Sultana Shirin of Narayanganj finished second again this year with nine points. Eighteen-time national champion Women's International Master Rani Hamid of Golden Sporting Club became third with 8.5 points. Aahelee placed fourth with seven points to achieve the best position in her career. WFMs Zakia Sultana and Samiha Sharmin Shimmi finished fifth and sixth respectively.