Defending champions Saif Sporting Club and Bangladesh Police maintained their joint lead in the Walton Refrigerator Premier Division Chess League securing 16 points each after the 8th round at the NSC Tower auditorium here on Saturday.

Uttara Central Chess Club are in 2nd slot earning 12 points and Bangladesh Navy are in 3rd securing 11 points.

In the day’s 8th round matches, Saif SC beat Bangladesh Biman 4-0 game points and Police beat Sultana Kamal Smirity Sangsad by 3-1 game points.

GM Kovalev Vladislav, GM Eltaj Sarali, GM Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib and GM Enamul Hossain Razib of Saif SC beat FM Rezaul Haque, FM Joydeep Dutta, FM Debaraj Chatterjee and Md Masum Hossain of Biman in their respective matches.

GM Jobava Baadu, GM Niaz Murshed and GM Mikheil Mehedlishvili of Police beat Md Ibrahim, Subedi Rajan and Kusatha Niken of Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar while IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Police conceded a defeat against Meznur Rahman of Sultana Kamal Smirity Pathagar.

In the day’s other matches, Uttara Central Chess Club beat Bangladesh Navy by 3-1 game points, Titas Club beat Access Chess Club by 4-0 game points,  Janata Bank Officer Welfare Society drew with Sheikh Russel Chess Club by 2-2 games points and Sonali Bank Sports and Recreation Club beat Sonargaon Chess Club by 3-1 game points.

The 9th round of matches will be held on Sunday from 3pm at same venue. Saif SC to play against Bangladesh Police in the 9th round.