Rajib's sharp debut

Enamul Hossain Rajib made a bright debut in the World Chess Cup in Russia when the Bangladesh International Master drew with Ukrainian Grand Master Pavel Eljanov in the opening round game yesterday.
Rajib however missed a winning position at the 37th move playing with black pieces in a Queen's Gambit and accepted the draw on 46 moves.
Grand Master Ziaur Rahman was playing against Russian Grand Master Dmitry Jakovenko. Zia also played with black pieces and the game continued while the report was last filed.
Rajib will play against the same opponents with white pieces and Zia will also take on Jakovenko with white as each player plays two matches in every round against one opponent on way to the final.
The knockout competition got underway in an icy west Siberian city Khanty-Mansiysk, where it is already snowing.
A total of 128 players are competing for top honours in the world chess. Last time Bangladesh took part in the World Cup was in 1997.