International Master Reefat-bin-Sattar continued with his impressive run in the 26th Professor Abdur Razzak National Chess Championship with an easy win over Khandkar Aminul Islam in the ninth round at the NSC chess room yesterday.

Reefat, who played with black pieces and adopted the Sicilian Defence, checkmated the Leonine player after 36 moves. It was Reefat’s eighth win in the meet against a draw.

The win raised the tally of the Biman contender to 8.5 points, one and a half points clear from his nearest challenger and defending champion IM Ziaur Rahman.

For Zia, the top rated player in the meet, it was yet another disappointing day after IM Abdullah Al-Rakib forced him to settle for a draw after just six moves on the board.

It was Zia's fourth draw which left him further behind his arch-rival Reefat in the title race.

Monir Hossain of Leonine Chess Club held the distant third spot with six and a half points.

In the round. Monir defeated Sheikh Nasir Ahmed of Ansars. Playing with white against the Grandfield Defence of Nasir. Monir won the board after 33 moves.

Mainuddln Ahmed of Chittagong beat Fide Master Ena-mul Hossain Rajib of Titas Club. Playing with white pieces. Mainuddln overran the French Defence of Rajib after 46 moves.

Abu Suflan Shakil of Ansars beat Talbur Rahman Sumon of BUET in another match.

Shakil adopted the Dutch Defence with his black pieces and won the game after 41 moves.

Syed Ruhul Kabir Shiplu of Titas Club beat Dewan Shahldul Amin Tipu of Ka-malapur Samaj Kalyan Sangha

while Saifuddin Lovlu of Titas Club defeated Shawkat Hossain Pallab.

Both Shiplu and Lovlu adopted the familiar Sicilian Defence against their respective opponents and won the boards after 32 and 48 moves respectively.

The day's other match between Arifuzz.iman Sikdar and Abul Kashem Bhuiyan ended in a draw.

STANDINGS

8.5 points -- Reefat; 7 points -- Zia: 6.5 points -- Monir: 6 points - Mainuddln; 5.5 points -- Rakib. Shakil and Shiplu; 5 points -- Pallab; 4 points -- Rajib and Aminul: 3.5 points --Sumon; 3 points -- Tipu; 2.5 points -- Lovlu and Arif; 1.5 points -- Nasir and Kashem.

TODAY’S MATCHES

Reefat v Shiplu. Shakil v Tipu. Arif v Sumon, Lovlu v Kashem. Rajib v Pallab. Nasir v Mainuddln, Zia v Monir and Amin v Rakib.