Kathmandu, March 25

Bangladesh Grand Master Abdullah Al Rakib defeated Sumit Panta to maintain his lead in the Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championship here today.

In the open category, unbeaten Rakib accumulated six points from seven rounds. Another Bangladeshi GM Ziaur Rahman remained at second with 5.5 points after beating FIDE Master Hasan Mehdi. Candidate Master Keshav Shrestha defeated fellow Nepali player Himal Lama to accumulate five points.

In other matches, Bangladeshi International Master Abu Sufian Shakil defeated FM Manish Hamal, while Kshitiz Bhandari faced a defeated at the hands of Mahfuzur Syed Rahman. RS Kalugampitiya of Sri Lanka defeated Milan Lama, while Badri Lal Nepali beat CM Sajin Maharjan.

Nepal’s CM Madan Krishna Kayastha played a draw against Bangladeshi GM Enamul Hossain.

In women’s category, WIM Hamid Rani of Bangladesh beat Nepal’s Sabina Shrestha for her seventh straight victory and accumulated seven points to lead the standing. Another Bangladeshi WIM Shamim Akter saw off Shanta Thapa of Nepal to remain at the second position with six points.

Three Nepali players suffered losses at the hands of Bangladeshi opponents. Punam Prasai went down to WCM Mahmuda Hoque Chowdhary, WFM Sultana Sharmin beat Sindira Joshi, and Matina Kusi suffered a defeat against Sharmin Samiha Shimmi.