Himalayan Queen’s Gambit ends with Precious Adhikari crowned champion

 Kathmandu, August 18


The Himalayan Queen’s Gambit, organized by the Himalayan Chess Academy at St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, concluded on Sunday with Precious Adhikari crowned as the champion. She scored 7 points to beat 141 competitors and claim the title.


In the one-day tournament, Nihana Shrestha remained unbeaten in the open section but a second-round draw pushed her to second place with 6.5 points. Reshika Shrestha of Mahendra Secondary School finished third with 6 points. Other top-eight finishers included Swastika Chaudhary, Dhanmantri Thapa, Meghna Adhikari, Sanskriti Gajurel, and Suhani Singh.


As part of the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE) Social Year 2025, eight tournaments are being held worldwide this August. The Himalayan Queen’s Gambit was the only event from Asia. The competition, using the Swiss system, featured four rapid rounds and three blitz rounds. With 142 participants, it saw the highest-ever female participation in Nepali chess, surpassing last year’s 37-player record at the Himalayan Teej Tournament.


School section results:


1st: Manakamana Secondary


2nd: Marvellous English Boarding School


3rd: Mahendra Secondary School


U-10 category:


1st: Anisha Tamang


2nd: Ananya Rauniyar


3rd: Ritika Sedhai


U-13 category:


1st: Vipasana Shakya


2nd: Nayuma Magar


3rd: Rijla Rajbhandari


U-16 category:


1st: Sonalika Shah


2nd: Yashvi Maharjan


3rd: Aarohi Shrestha


Veterans 50+ category:


Champion: Rukmini Jimi


Runner-up: Radha Rai


Special awards went to:


Best HCA: Shubhani Pandit


Best Xavierian: Aakriti Nagarkoti


Best Sportsmanship: Roshika Shrestha


Rising Player: Smarika Dumre


Best Improvement: Sukshmayanka Jaishi


Winners received trophies, medals, and certificates from dignitaries including Tanka Lal Ghising (National Sports Council), Dinesh Maharjan (Ward Chair), Dipen Rai (Nepal Chess Federation), Surendra Kumar Rai (Koshi Province Chess Association), Gehendra Bahadur Chand (Vice Principal, St. Xavier’s College), and Monalisa Khambu (FIDE Women’s Chess Commission member and founder of Himalayan Chess Academy).


The tournament was inaugurated by Palisha Govardhan (Paris Paralympics 2024 bronze medalist), film director Dipendra Lama, and St. Xavier’s College Principal Augustin Thomas, who made the first moves on the chessboard.

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