The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladeshi Grand Master Ziaur Rahman finished 5th in the 3rd Kolkata Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament that concluded on Wednesday at the Gorky Sadan in Kolkata, India.

Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh Biman earned seven points after making a draw with Indian GM Koneru Humpy in the last round match of the 10-round meet, organised by Alekhine Chess Club

Another Bangladeshi GM Abdullah Al Rakib, also from Bangladesh Biman, became 19th with 6.5 points after beating Aditya Udeshi of India in the last round match.

IM Enamul Hossain Razib of Bangladesh was placed 31st having 6 points, Bangladesh's first GM Niaz Murshed became 36th with 5.5 points. Of the other Bangladeshi competitors, Sk. Nasir Ahmed was placed 57th with 5 points, FM Taibur Rahman 64th with 5 points, FM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar 76th with 4.5 points, FM Mehdi Hasan Parag 78th with 4.5 points, Mohammad Javed 88th with 4 points and Mohammad Ali 104th with 3 points.

In the day's last round matches, Razib drew with IM Konguvel of India, Niaz drew with IM Solomon of South Africa, Taibur drew with IM Satyapragyan of India and Javed drew with Swayams of India. Nasir lost to IM Rathnakaran of India, Sagar lost to IM Farhat Ali of Egypt and Parag lost to Nimmy of India and Ali lost to Karma of India.

GM Viktor Laznicka of Czech Republic emerged champion with 8.5 points while GM Krishnan Sasikiran of India became runner-up with same points. GM Safin Shukhrat became 3rd with 7.5 points.

A total of 114 players from 15 countries, including 18 grandmasters and 30 International Masters, took part in the meet.

GM Zia received 50,000 Indian Rupees while GM Rakib got 8,000 Indian Rupees as prize money.