Niaz held by Fahad

IM Fahad Rahman drew against GM Niaz Murshed in the fifth round of the 45th National Chess Championship at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh yesterday.

Despite dropping points for the first time, Niaz held on to his solo lead with 4.5 points while seven players -- GM Abdullah Al Rakib, GM Ziaur Rahman, GM Reefat Bin Sattar, IM Fahad, IM Minhaz Uddin Ahmed, IM Abu Sufian Shakil and FM Taibur Rahman – were in second position with 3.5 points each.