Fide Master Mehdi Hasan Parag of Bangladesh shared the top slot with two other players in the Open Category of the South Asian Chess Council Chess Championships that began today (Wednesday) in Kathmandu, Nepal.

In the Open Category, Bangladeshi FM Parag topped the points table with India's IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh and Nepal's Silwal Purushottam securing full two points each after the 2nd round matches.

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On the other hand, WFM Wadifa Ahmed of Bangladesh made a good start in the Women’s Category of the meet beating her Nepalese rival Riya Shrestha in the day’s first round match.

The first and second round matches of the open division and the first round matches of the women's division were held on Wednesday.

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FM Mehdi Hasan Parag beat Subir Lama of Nepal in the first round of the Open Division while Bangladeshi FM Mohammed Abdul Malek lost to FM Rupes Jaiswal of Nepal

FM Mehdi Hasan Parag defeated his compatriot FM Mohammed Abdul Malek in the second round game.

WCM Jannatul Ferdous lost to Gurang Sushila of Nepal in the first round match of the Women's Category.

A total of 10 players including one Grand Master, one International Master and five Fide Masters from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan are taking part in the Open Category while 7 players from Bangladesh, India and Nepal are participating in the Women's Category.

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The competitions are being played on round robin league format.