Last year's runners-up Leonine dropped half a point in their 3.5-0.5 win over Sonali Bank at the chess federation hall-room but it did not affect their position as they opened up a more comfortable 3.5-point gap over second-placed Muktijoddha who are on 30.

The match between holders Biman, now third with 28 points, and impressive newcomers Muktijoddha was centre-stage but all four boards were drawn.

Muktijoddha's Grand Master Ni Hua drew with GM Ziaur Rahman after 11 moves due to his sickness. On the other boards, GM Igors Rausis drew with Biman's IM Reefat bin Sattar, IM Vakhidov Tahir drew with IM Abdullah Al Rakib and IM Enamul Hossain Rajib drew with FM Rezaul Haque.

For all-GM Leonine, Dao Thein Hai shared points with Debasish Mukherjee but Iuldashev Saidali beat PJ Barua, Nguyen Anh Dung beat Ranadev Dasgupta and Niaz Murshed beat Masudur Rahman Mallik.

In the other matches, Nara-yanganj City Chess Club drew 2-2 with Titas Club, Dhaka University beat Bangladesh Ansar 3-1, Destiny 2000 beat Rajshahi Daba Unnayan Sangstha 3.5-0.5, Friends Chess Power beat Star Vision 3-1, Mohakhali Pradip Sangha Uttaradhikary Sangsad 4-0 and Farashganj Sporting Club beat Anushilon Daba Krira Chakra 2.5-1.5.