Kathmandu: In a chess landscape increasingly dominated by blitz and rapid formats, the Himalayan Challengers 2026 brought classical chess back into focus, offering players, especially youth, a rare opportunity to engage in long-format, high-concentration games that test patience, endurance, and strategic depth.
Reflecting on the event, Monalisha Khamboo, Founder of Himalayan Chess Academy, Deputy General Secretary of the Nepal Chess Federation, and Member of the FIDE Women’s Commission, emphasized the broader vision of promoting classical chess, nurturing young talent, and strengthening Nepal’s chess culture, describing the Himalayan Challengers 2026 as a significant step toward achieving these goals.
Organized by the Himalayan Chess Academy, the Swiss League System, FIDE-rated tournament was held from 11 to 19 January 2026. Players competed under a classical time control of 90 minutes per game with a 30-second increment per move.
Over nine days of intense competition, the event showcased discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship, while also serving as a learning platform through post-round analyses conducted by experienced mentors, contributing to the growth of Nepal’s chess community.
The closing ceremony celebrated competitive excellence and the spirit of classical chess. Abheek Shah of St. Xavier’s College emerged as the overall champion with a perfect score of 27 points. He was followed by Sajal Neupane of The British College with 19 points and Aashirwaad Thapa of Sanskar Gurukul with 18 points.
In the women’s category, Nihana Shrestha finished first, followed by Ujivani Kandel and Ojaswi Shrestha. Age-category winners included Viraaj Saria (U-8), Shubhang Pradhan (U-10), Hardik Pant (U-12), Prabir KC (U-14), and Bimas Lohani (U-16). Arij Rai received the Emerging Player Award for exceptional promise and dedication.
The tournament featured 30 players from 28 schools and colleges, including 6 women and 24 men, with an equal mix of 15 FIDE-rated and 15 unrated participants, making it one of the most competitive classical chess events in Nepal. After each round, former national champion Keshav Shrestha and FIDE Master Rijendra Rajbhandari analyzed games, offering valuable guidance to participants.
The closing ceremony was attended by Chief Guest Jiwan Prabha Lama, Former Secretary of the Nepal Government, and Special Guest Kumar Lama Ghising, Board Member of the National Sports Council.
Other attendees included Surendra Kumar Rai, President of Koshi Province Chess Association; Rajiv Chand, Adventure Sports Specialist; Keshav Shrestha, President of Kathmandu District Chess Association; Kritika Singh, Army Officer; Tika Nidhi Lohani, Director of Nepal Stock Exchange; and Lalita Rai Lama, Advisor to Himalayan Chess Academy, who honored participants with trophies, medals, and certificates.
