KATHMANDU, March 23: Bangladeshi GM Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib, rated 2492, is leading the ongoing Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championship being held in Kathmandu earning with 3.5 points from four matches. Rahman Ziaur of the same country, who also has equal points, is in the second position on the basis of progressive points.
In the fourth round match on Wednesday, Mollah defeated 2263-rated FM Hasan Mehdi while Rahman overcame GM Hossain Enamul, who is rated 2474.
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Similarly, Nepal’s former champion CM Keshav Shrestha, who is rated 2077, overcame the challenge of 2129-rated Kalugampitiya R S. After registering the victory over the Sri Lankan opponent, Keshav has now accumulated three points to stay in the third position.
In other matches, 2081-rated Himal Lama defeated his compatriot CM Kshitiz Bhandari rated 2036 while Bangladeshi IM Abu Sufian Shakil rated 2343 registered victory over Badrilal Nepali rated 2009 of the home team. Similarly in other matches of the day, 1848-rated Bhagwati Prasad Sharma of Nepal beat CM Sajin Maharjan rated 2002 of the same nation. All the winners Himal, Abi and Bhagwati extended their points tally to 2.5.
In the women’s category, Bangladeshi player is on top as 1990-rated WIM Hamid Rani has extended her points tally after producing her fourth straight win on Wednesday. She defeated her compatriot Sharmin Samiha Shimmi rated 1842 in the fourth round clash.
Second-placed WIM Shamima Akter rated 2077 has accumulated three points after beating Sri Lankan opponent Saumy Zainab rated 1788. In the other match of the same category, Bangladeshi duo WFM Nazrana Khan rated 1904 and WFM Sultana Sharmin Shirin rated 1998 won their respective matches. Both have now 2.5 points at the end of the fourth round.
In the other matches, 1701-rated Matina KC of Nepal beat 1625-rated Sindira Joshi of the same country while another participant of the home team Shanta Thapa rated 1626 defeated her compatriot Punam Prasai, who is rated 1419.
