GM Abdullah Al Rakib (R) ponders his next move on the opening day of the National Chess Championship at the National Sports Council yesterday.Photo: STAR

The final phase of the 34th National Chess Championship got underway at the federation hall-room yesterday.
Reigning champion GM Abdullah Al Rakib, IM Enamul Hossain Rajib, GM Ziaur Rahman, FM Abu Sufian Shakil and Monir Hossain won their respective first round games.
A total of 14 players are taking part in the round-robin league.
In the day's round, Rakib won against FM Mohammad Javed, Rajib beat FM Abdul Malek, Zia beat FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman Emon, Shakil beat Sohel Chowdhury, Monir beat FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed, GM Reefat Bin Sattar drew his board with FM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar and GM Niaz Murshed drew with Debaraj Chatterjee.