Rakib holds onto lead

GM Abdulla Al-Rakib held on to the lead in the Berger Paints 39th National 'A' Chess Championship with 7.5 points after the ninth round which was held at the Media Centre of Bangladesh Olympic Association yesterday.
Rakib, playing white pieces in Queen's Gambit style, beat Hafizul Islam Chapal after 41 moves.
IM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar was in second position with 7 points after he beat FM Aminul Islam in 42 moves. GM Ziaur Rahman and GM Enamul Hossain Razib were sharing the third position with 6.5 points each as the two GMs drew their board. Reigning champion GM Niaz Murshed, who drew against FM Mohammad Javed, was in joint fourth position with five points along with Parag and Nasir.