Md. Shariatullah of Sonali Bank Sports and Recreation Club became unbeaten champion in the of the Walton (U-2000 Rating) International Rating Chess Tournament sponsored by Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC in collaboration with Bangladesh Chess Federation and organised by Manha’s Castle which was held at Manha’s Castle Hall-Room, R H Home Center, 74 Green Road, Dhaka. Sariatullah earned maximum 7 points out of 7 games to clinch the title.
Sk. Rashedul Hasan became runner-up with 6 points. Four players earned 5½ points each. In the tie-breaking system among them Jodunath Biswas of Shahnoor Khan Smirity Sangsad became 3rd, A. B. Bappi of Palli Sanchay Bank became 4th, Md. Sajidul Haque became 5th and Moniruzzaman Moni became 6th. Nine players earned 5 points each. In tie-breaking system amon them Abdul Momin became 7th and Sarwar Hossain Ullash became 8th. Special prizes are: Over 50: Md Abdur Rauf, Rating Category 1001 to 1599 Md. Moinuddin and Syed Mahbubur Rashid, best woman Neelava Choudhury, best unrated Kazi Moshiqur Rahman and best Under-12 Siam Chowdhury.
The prize giving ceremony was held at the same place after the games. F M Iqbal Bin Anwar (Dawn), Senior Executive Director, Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC, distributed prizes among the winners as chief guest. Mr. Lokman Hossain Mollah (Lavlu) President of Manha’s Castle presided over the ceremony. Mr. Masudur Rahman Mallick Dipu, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation and International Arbiter Mr. Md Haroon Or Rashid were present as special guests. Mr. Parag Arman, Sports Editor of ANT-Bangla and CM Sohel Chowdhury, General Secretary of Manha’s Castle gave speeches in the ceremony. The event was held in a 7 round Swiss-League system and 84 players participated. Total fifty-thousand-taka cash prizes and fifty thousand taka WALTON gifts given to winners.