Shafiq retains solo lead in 39th National 'A' Chess

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Shafiq Ahmed of Golden Chess Club retained solo lead in the Berger Paints 39th National 'A' Chess Championship securing full three points after beating Jamal Uddin of Titas Club in the 3rd round match at the Media Centre of Bangladesh Olympic Association on Monday, reports UNB. Three players -- GM Ziaur Rahman of Dhaka Mohammedan, and GM Abdullah Al Rakib and IM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar of Bangladesh Ansar - closely follow the leader with 2.5 points each. In the day's 3rd round matches, Zia beat Mohammed Hafizul Islam Chapal of Dhaka City; Rakib beat FM Debaraj Chatterjee of Access Group; and Sagar beat IM Abu Sufian Shakil of Access Group. Reigning champion GM Niaz Murshed and GM Enamul Hossain Razib of Duronto Rajshahi share the 3rd position with 2 points. In the day's other 3rd round matches, Niaz drew with Razib; FM Mehdi Hasan Parag of Access Group beat teammate FM Khondakar Aminul Islam; while FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed of Titas Club drew with FM Mohammad Javed of Access Group. Standings after the 3rd round matches: 3-Shafiq; 2.5-Rakib; Zia and Sagar; 2-Niaz, Razib; 1.5- Debaraj; 1-Shakil, Parag, Nasir and Amin; 0.5 Jamal and Javed; and 0-Chapal. The 4th round matches will be held on Tuesday from 2:30 pm at the same venue. 4th round matches: Shakil vs Parag; Razib vs Amin; Debaraj vs Niaz; Shafiq vs Rakib; Zia vs Jamal; Nasir vs Chapal; and Sagar vs Javed.