KARACHI, July 6: Defending champion Mahmood Ahmed Lodhi retained his title despite playing a draw with Waqar Ahmed Madni in the 10th round of the 28th National Chess Championship at the Beach Luxury Hotel here on Friday.

Lodhi however could not win all his matches to break a 50-year-old record of securing all 11 points.

With nine and a half points under his belt, Lodhi was assured of his 13th national title. With one round to be held on Saturday, Lodhi was one and a half point ahead of the trio of Anwar Qureshi, Waqar Ahmed Madni and Asif-ur-Rehman, who earned seven points apiece.

Earlier in the day, Lodhi in the ninth round overpowered Riasat Ali Nazim in a 48-move match.

The 11th and final round of the championship will be played on Saturday and five top players will earn the right to represent Pakistan in the 40th Chess Olympiad being held in Istanbul from Aug 27 to Sept 10.

Meanwhile in the women’s championship, defending championship Nida Mishraz and Zenobia Wasif were tied for the top spot after accumulating 6.5 points after the conclusion of the eighth and final round. After calculations as per the Federation International de Chess (FIDE) rules, the winner will be decided.—APP