International Master Mohammad Minhaz Uddin of Bangladesh Navy maintaining his sole lead in the Marcel Invitational International Rating Chess Tournament  securing 7 points after the 8th and penultimate round matches held at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room on Tuesday.

FIDE Master Sheikh Nasir Ahmed of Bangladesh Navy is in the 2nd position with 6.5 points. Candidate Master Manon Reja Neer of Uttara Central Chess Club is in the 3rd slot  with 6 points. 

Seven players shared the 4th position collecting  5.5 points each. 

They are: Anata Choudhury of Rupali Bank Krira Parisad, FIDE Master Syed Mahfuzur Rahman of Janata Bank Officer Welfare Society, Shafiq Ahmed and Showkat Hossain Pollab of Sheikh Russel Chess Club, Jabed Al Azad of Manha’s Castle, Abdul Momin of Khelaghar Daba Sangah of Gopalganj and Mukitul Islam Ripon of Agrani Bank Daba Dal.

READ: Int'l Rating Chess: CM Manon Reja Neer takes solo lead

In the day's 8th round matches, IM Minhaz beat  Shafiq, FM Sheikh Nasir beat Md. Abu Hanif, Anata drew with FM Mahfuz, CM Neer beat CM Md. Sharif Hossain, Pollab beat FM Khandekar Aminul Islam, Ripon beat CM Md. Jamal Uddin, Momin beat FM Mohammad Javed, Md. Sariatullah drew with CM Md. Shawket Bin Osman Shaon and Jabed beat Kazi Zarin Tasmin.

The 9th and last round matches will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) from 11 am at the same venue. 

The prize distribution ceremony of the tournament  will be held on the same day (Wednesday) from 4: pm at the Chess Federation hall-room soon after completion of the games.

Senior Executive Director and Head of Games and Welfare of the meet's sponsor Walton Hi-Tech Industries FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Dawn will distribute prizes among winners as the chief guest.