KATHMANDU: Former Nepal Champion Keshav Shrestha registered a splendid victory over a FIDE Master (FM) in the seventh round of ninth United Insurance and United Leasing Grandmasters Chess Tournament in Dhaka today.

The 2134-rated Shrestha outplayed 2391-rated FIDE Master Ahmed Minhazuddin of Bangladesh. Ahmed was held for a draw by FM Manish Hamal and Naveen Tandukar in the previous rounds. Shrestha has come up with some impressive performance in Dhaka as he also force a draw against another FM Mohammad Javed in the fifth round. With three wins and two draws he has collected four points after the completion of seventh round. Shrestha has been paired with 2532-rated Grand Master (GM) Abdulla Al-Rakib of Bangladesh in the eighth round.

Meanwhile, veteran Bilam Lal Shrestha played a draw against Ikramul Haque Siam of Bangladesh to share half point. Bilam Lal has so far 1.5 points out of the maximum seven but it was the first time he has earned himself the point. Before the match, he had one point which came courtesy a third round bye.

FM Manish Hamal and Nepal Champion Badril Lal Nepali were paired together in the eighth round which ended in a stalemate. Both players have 2.5 points on the board. Another veteran Naveen Tandukar lost his match to 2281-rated Debaraj Chaterjee of Bangladesh and was restricted to two points.