<i>World record beckons Rani</i>

RANI OF BANGLADESH CHESS: Rani Hamid, whose first name refers to English word 'queen', ponders her next move while playing in the first round of the 30th National Women's Chess Championship at the Federation hall room yesterday. Rani is eying her 18th national crown.Photo: STAR

Rani Hamid eyes her name in the Guiness Book of World Record as the veteran IWM chases her 18th national women's chess title.
Seventeen-time winner Rani Hamid defeated WFM Zakia Sultana in the opening round of the Parachute 30th National Women Chess Championship to begin her campaign for the world record run on the right foot yesterday at the chess-room.
The reigning champion told reporters that she would write to the Guiness authority to put her name in the record book if she retains the title this year.
In other matches, last year's runner-up WFM Samima Akhter Liza beat Jahanara Haque Runu, Sharmin Sultana Shirin beat Rokhsana Titli, Nazrana Khan Eva beat Ahely Sarkar, Masuda Begum beat Farjana Hossain Anne and Protiva Talukder beat Amena Khatun.