Debaraj close to IM norm

FM Debaraj Chatterjee maintained his solo lead in the Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ltd 38th National 'A' Chess Championship at the close of the eighth round at the Media Centre of Bangladesh Olympic Association yesterday.
Debraj defeated Mahatabuddin Ahmed Robin in his eighth round board to secure seven points from eight matches to raise the hope of achieving his first International Master norm.
GM Niaz Murshed, GM Reefat Bin Sattar and IM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar shared the second position with six points each while holder GM Ziaur Rahman was in the third position with 5.5 points.
In the day's matches, IM Sagar beat GM Zia, Reefat beat FM Mohammad Javed, Niaz beat Jamal Uddin, FM Nasir Ahmed beat Mohammad Sherajul Kabir.