KARACHI, Aug 8: Promising players stunned National Masters in two rounds on the opening day of the 26th Friendship House Championship at Friendship House on Thursday with Junaid Hameed held International Master Shahzad Mirza to draw.

Faraz Salim, Asif Ali, Abbasi, Israr Hussain and Imtiaz- ul-Haque performed outstandingly and beat National Masters (NM) Sabir Khan, Rahat Ali, Aziz Farooqi and Prof. Zaidi respectively in the opening round.

While in the second round young Junaid Hameed held top seed and IM Shahzad Mirza to draw.

In other important matches, NM Muhammad Waqar and Asad Rampuri succeeded to win their game after have some anxious movements.

The event was earlier was inaugurated by Sergey Kuznetsov Director of Russian Centre of Science and Culture.

Sixty board players are taking part in the event-38 in group-A and 22 in group-B.

Point Position after two rounds.

Group-A M.Waqar, Asad Rampuri, Siraj Ansari, Manzoor Ahmed, Israr Hussain, and Jahangir Ahmed-2 points each. Shahzad Mirza, Akmal Hussain, Khalid Zafar, Junaid Hameed, Aftab Alam and Shahab Ahmed-1.5 points each.

Group-B. Moiz Ahmed, Nasir Ahmed, Abdul Waheed, Qamar Baig-2 points each. —APP