IM fahad defeats Indian grandmaster to top standings in Malaysia

International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh defeated Indian Grandmaster Iniyan Pa in the sixth round of the ongoing Berjaya Global Open Chess 2026 Masters in Johor, Malaysia, on Friday, September 11.

Playing with the white pieces during Friday morning's session local time, Fahad overcame Iniyan Pa's Sicilian Defence to secure victory in 32 moves, extending his strong run in the tournament.

The result took Fahad to five points from six games, placing him jointly at the top of the standings alongside two other competitors heading into the tournament's remaining rounds.

Elsewhere in the same round, fellow Bangladeshi International Master Manon Reza Neer settled for a draw against China's International Master Li Bo, taking his own tally to three and a half points from six games so far.

Separately in Dhaka, the qualifying round of the 50th National B Chess Championship for Region 1, covering Dhaka city, Dhaka division and its surrounding districts, got under way on Friday at the Bangladesh Chess Federation's sports room.

A total of 118 players are competing in that event, contested under a seven round Swiss league format, with the top 20 finishers from the qualifying stage set to advance directly to the Region 1 Dhaka final.