A Record-Breaking Rise – Precious Adhikari Reigns in Nepal’s Largest Women’s Chess Arena

Kathmandu: Precious Adhikari emerged victorious in the Himalayan Queens Gambit on Sunday, defeating 141 other players in the tournament hosted by the Himalayan Chess Academy. With a flawless performance and a perfect seven points, she claimed the title.

Nihana Shrestha also remained unbeaten in the open division of the one-day tournament held at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar. However, a second-round draw cost her the championship, and she finished as runner-up with 6.5 points. Reshika Shrestha of Mahendra Secondary School secured third place with six points. The competition featured female players ranging in age from seven to sixty-seven, with Meghna Adhikari, Sanskriti Gajurel, Suhani Singh, Dhanmantri Thapa, and Swastika Chaudhary finishing in the top eight.

This August, eight tournaments are being held worldwide in honor of FIDE’s Social Year 2025, with the Himalayan Queens Gambit standing as the only Asian event. The competition drew a record 142 participants, played under the Swiss system with three blitz rounds and four rapid rounds. It marked the highest participation of Nepali women in a chess tournament, surpassing the 37 participants in last year’s Himalayan Teej Tournament.

In the school category, Manakamana Secondary claimed first place, followed by Marvelous Boarding in second and Mahendra Secondary in third. In the U-10 division, Anisha Tamang, Ananya Rauniyar, and Ritika Sedhai secured the top three positions. Bipashana Shakya won the U-13 title, with Nayuma Magar and Rijala Rajbhandari placing second and third. Sonalika Shah triumphed in the U-16 category, followed by Yashwi Maharjan and Aarohi Shrestha. In the Veteran 50+ category, Rukmani Jimi won the title while Radha Rai finished runner-up.

Special awards went to Shubhani Pandit (Best HCA), Aakriti Nagarkoti (Best Xavierian), Roshika Shrestha (Best Sportsmanship), Smarika Dumre (Rising Player), and Sookshmayanka Jaishi (Best Improvement).

The winners were honored with trophies, medals, and certificates by National Sports Council Member Secretary Tanka Lal Ghising; Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward 4 Chairman Dinesh Maharjan; Nepal Chess Federation Senior Vice President Dipen Rai; Koshi Province Chess Association President Surendra Kumar Rai; St. Xavier’s College Vice Principal Gehendra Bahadur Chand; and Monalisha Khambu, member of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess and founder of the Himalayan Chess Academy.

Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Palesha Govardhan, Nepal’s historic bronze medalist at the Paris Paralympics 2024; film director Dipendra Lama; and St. Xavier’s College Principal Augustin Thomas, who jointly moved the chess clock and pieces.

The Himalayan Chess Academy, based in Thapathali, Kathmandu-11, is currently hosting its ninth tournament. Since its establishment on Chaitra 1, 2080, the academy has successfully organized eight tournaments, including the Himalayan 100 for Guinness World Records, Himalayan Teej Chess Tournament, Patriotic Pawn Championship, Himalayan Duo, Himalayan Blitz Cup, Himalayan Freestyle Championship, Nepal’s first-ever Freestyle Chess Competition, and the Himalayan 100 x 2.

The academy has been training more than 100 students across five courses—Fresher, Beginners, Advanced Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced—at its chess hall in Thapathali and its branch in Bhaktapur. With the goal of promoting and advancing chess in Nepal, it regularly conducts training sessions, school and community seminars, and online courses. Notably, the academy also invited International Master (IM) Atanu Lahiri, Commonwealth Chess Champion, to Kathmandu for specialized training.