Zia on verge of regaining title

Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman Zia is on the verge of regaining his title of the National 'A' Chess Championship as he enjoyed a one-point lead at the top of the leader board with the last round remaining, reports BSS.

The highest-rated GM of Bangladesh beat Uten to take his tally to 10.5 from 12 round, with GM Niaz Murshed in second place with 9.5 points.

Only a defeat for Zia against GM Enamul Hossain, coupled with a win for Niaz against FM Minhazuddin Ahmed, will end both Zia and Niaz on equal points, forcing a tie-break.

Niaz beat FM Debaraj Chatterjee to keep himself in second position followed by Enamul with 9 points and former champion Abdullah Al Rakib with 8.5 points.