Giand Master Alexandar Volzhin of Russia maintained his solo lead in the Filth United Insurance Grand Masters Tournament with

t draw against International Mas lei Vakhidov Fahii of Uzbekistan in the penultimate round al the National Sports Council confer-once room yesterday.

Playing with whites against the Patrol! Defence of lahir, Volzhin accepted the draw after ten moves. With that draw, the Russian GM remained atop (he table with eight points, half a point ahead of top seed GM Jaan I hlvest of Estonia.

Fhlvest defeated IM Sandipan Chanda of India on Friday.

Elsewhere. I IDF Master Ina mul Hossain Rajib. who needed two points from the last two rounds to earn his Hist IM norm, lost his chance with a draw against compatriot IM \bdullah Al Rakib

In the other matches, GM Normundus Miezis of kitvia beat IM Reelal Bin Sattar. GM Niaz Mulshed drew with IM Ziaur Rahman of Biman. IM G.B. Prakash of India drew with GM Nigel Davies ol I ngland. GM Alexh Barsov of Uzbekistan shared points with GM Igor Rausis of Latvia.

Points (able: 8 points Volzhin, 7.5 points -- I hlvest, 7 points - Miezis, Tahir

6.5 points -- Niaz, Davies, Barsov. (i points -- Rcelat. 5.5 points Rausis, Rakib, Prakash. 5 points — Zia. Razib and 2.5 points • • Sandipan.

The final round starts today at 10:30 a.m. I he prize distribution ceremony will be held at 6:30 pm.

I he Final round matches are: Sandipan v Rakib, Tahir v Fhlvest, Rausis v Volzhin.

Davies v Barsov, Niaz v Pia kash, Miezis v Zia and Razib v Rcefat. ।