FIDE Master Fahad Rahman beat GM Ziaur Rahman in the ninth round of the Omicon Group 43rd National 'A' Chess Championship yesterday.

Fahad, playing with black pieces, took 43 moves to beat the country's highest-rated GM, who had lost to the same player in the 41st edition of the competition. The victory took Fahad to 5.5 points and into third position alongside FM Aminul Islam.

Holder GM Enamul Hossain Razib, meanwhile, shared the lead with GM Abdullah Al Rakib. Razib beat FM Sheikh Nasir while Rakib drew against IM Minhazuddin Ahmed. Both GMs have 7.5 points while Zia was in second position with 6.5 points.