Hoping to earn his third and final GM norm, the Bangladesh International Master upset Russian GM Alexander Fominyh in the ninth round at the National Sports Council (NSC) conference room yesterday.

Reefat, however, had already fallen behind the 8-point mark which he needed for a GM norm by losing some important games earlier. He is now in the fifth position with 4.5 points with just two more rounds left.

Vietnamese GM Nguyen Anh Dung won his ninth round game against Indian IM Lanka Ravi to maintain his solo lead with 7.5 points.

Bangladesh GM Ziaur Rahman improved his slot to share the second position with compatriot IM Abdullah Al Rakib.They are still one point adrift of Nguyen.

Zia beat IM Enamul Hossain Rajib while Rakib once again dropped points when he drew with India's Sandipan Chanda.

In the other matches, GM Niaz Murshed beat Krishna Thapa of Nepal, Indian IM Dinesh Kumar Sharma beat Abdul Maleq.