Reigning champion FM Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar maintained solo lead in the BASIC Bank 30th National Junior Chess Championships when he defeated Abdullah Al Saif in the eighth round at the Chess Federation hall-room yesterday.
Sagar pushed his collection to 7.5 points with one round remaining to stay half a point ahead of Shamima Akter Liza, who beat Masum Hossain.
Sharif Hossain was also at second place with seven points after beating Rezaul Hossain Babu.
Mohammad Imran Ali Elin and Ikramul Haque Siam shared the third place with 6.5 points.
In other 8th round games, Elin beat Mahfuzur Rahman and Siam beat Shah Jalal Faruk.