After the completion of the eighth round, Rahman has accumulated seven points, establishing a one-point lead over his nearest challenger GM Abdulla Al-Rakib. Rahman earned crucial two points by registering victories in the seventh and eighth round on Tuesday. Rahman defeated compatriot Fide Master (FM) Nasir Ahmed in the seventh round before seeing of Nepali Candidate Master (CM) Rupesh Jaiswal in the eighth.

After earning one point with seventh round victory over International Master (IM) Abu Sufian Shakil, Rakib had an opportunity to narrow the gap on the leader but had to settle for a draw with IM Minhajuddin Ahmed in the eighth round.

The day belonged to Nepal’s Niraula whose five round unbeaten streak had ended on Monday but bounced back superbly holding two Bangladeshi GMs. Niraula, who has five points on the board, held Enamul Hossain and Niaz Murshed. The impressive run has already helped Niraula earn Candidate Master title. If Niraula succeeds to win his ninth and final round game on Thursday, he will earn FM title.

Jaiswal is also in line to earn FM title if he succeeds to win his ninth round match. CM Jaiswal, the highest rated Nepali chess player on 2156 points, has so far earned five points. Jaiswal beat compatriot Madan Krishna Kayastha in the seventh round. Kayastha, who beat Bangladeshi FM Islam Animul in the eighth round, has 4.5 points.

In the women’s category, Bangladeshi Woman International Master (WIM) Shamima Liza Akter and Sri Lanka’s Sachini Ranasinge lead the standings with six points. Monalisa Khamboo of Nepal has 3.5 points from seven rounds and needs one point to earn Women Candidate Master title.