Dhaka, April 14 (BDNEWS) –IM Reefat Bin Sattar earned the third norm for Grand Master at the end of the United Insurance and Leasing Company Grandmaster Chess tournament at the NSC conference-room Thursday.
Despite earning three norms to become Grand Master, Reefat have to wait till next June to get approval from World Chess Federation (FIDE) as the world chess body will review the rating in June.
A player needs at least 2500-rate points including three norms, but Reefat remains on 2473 and he will become GM when he will be 2500-rated player.
Reefat, who earned his second norm in November 2003 in Dhaka, will be country's third GM after Naiz Murshed and Ziaur Rahman. Niaz and Zia became GMs in 1987 and 2002 after earning third norms in 1986 and 2001 respectively.
"I feel well after getting the much-awaited third norm," Reefat said after beating Uzbekistani GM Safin in the final round.
He added, "I had a chance to secure the third norm yesterday (Wednesday), but I squandered the opportunity."
Enamul Haq Razib failed to earn his second norm as he lost to Russian GM Alexander Fominyh in the day's round.
BDNEWES/1941 hrs
