Defending champion GM Enamul Hossain Razib was held to a draw by last edition's runners-up GM Abdullah Al Rakib as the Omicon Group 43rd National A Chess Championship got underway at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room yesterday.

Former champion IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin Ahmed followed the footsteps of Razib by playing out a draw against FM Mehdi Hasan Parag while FM Aminul Islam drew against FM Sheikh Nassir Ahmed.