In the Himalayan Queen's Gambit organized by the Himalayan Chess Academy, Precious Adhikari became the official champion on Sunday, defeating the challenge of 141 players. She won the title by adding 7 points with 100% victory.

Nihana Shrestha also remained undefeated in the open side in the one-day tournament held at St. Xavier's College, Maitighar. However, the draw in the second round made him away from the title race. She was limited to 6.5 points and ended up as the runner-up. Mahendra Maviki Reshika Shrestha stood third with 6 points in the competition involving female players from seven years to 67 years. Swastika Chaudhary, Dhanmantari Thapa, Meghna Adhikari, Sanskriti Gajurel and Suhani Singh were among the top eight.

On the occasion of the International Federation of Intelligence (FIDE)'s 'Social Year 2025' (Social Year), eight competitions are being held around the world in this month (August), under which the 'Himalayan Queen's Gambit' has been organized as the only competition in Asia. 142 players competed in four rounds of rapid and three rounds of blitz based on the Swiss system, which is a record participation of female players in Nepali chess. 37 players participated in the Himalayan Teej tournament held last year, which was surpassed by the Himalayan Queens Gambit. In terms of

schools, Manakamana Secondary was first, Marvelous Boarding was second and Mahendra Mavi was third. On the U10 side, Anisha Tamang came first, Ananya Rauniar came second and Ritika Sedhain came third. In the U13 side, Vipassana Shakya came first, Nayuma Magar came second and Rizla Rajbhandari came third. On the U16 side, Sonalika Shah stood first, Yashvi Maharjan second and Arohi Shrestha stood third.

Similarly, Rukmani Jimmy, a veteran over 50, became the champion while Radha Rai became the runner-up. Shubhani Pandit won the Best HCA, Aakriti Nagarkoti won the Best Xavierian, Roshika Shrestha won the Best Sportsmanship, Smaryka Dumre won the Rising Player, and Sukhyayanka Jaishi won the Best Improvement Award. The winning players of the

competition were presented to National Sports Council Member Secretary Tanklal Ghising, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-4 Ward President Dinesh Maharjan, Nepal Intelligence Federation Senior Vice President Dipen Rai, Kosi Pradesh Intelligence Association President Surendra Kumar Rai, St. Xavier College Vice Principal Gehendra Bahadur Chand and FIDE Cousin for Women's Chess member Monalisha Khambu (from Himalayan Chess Academy) Founder) presented trophies, medals and certificates.

100 women players will compete in the Himalayan Queen's Gambit, which is to be organized by the Himalayan Chess Academy in collaboration with the Kosi State Intellectual Federation and St. Xavier's College. Monalisha Khambu, founder of the academy, says, 'Fide has encouraged women's participation in chess this year on the occasion of the Social Year. The Himalayan Queen's Gambit organized for the empowerment of women in intellectual sports includes eight events in different age groups, including open and school, in which 100 unrated players will compete.

Earlier, Palesha Govardhan, who won a historic bronze medal for Nepal in the Paris Paralympics 2024, film director Dipendra Lama, St. Xavier's College principal Augustine Thomas carried a chess clock and a goti.