L:R- Monalisha Khamboo and Deepa Shrestha
The second edition of the Himalayan Queen’s Gambit will be held on Sunday at the Thapathali Chess Park, Kathmandu. The tournament, an official event of the FIDE Women’s Chess Marathon, is expected to feature more than 100 players.
Monalisha Khamboo, founder of the Himalayan Chess Academy, said tournaments are being held around the world throughout March in partnership with the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess. Under this initiative, the academy is organising Nepal’s only event.
“The one-day competition will be conducted as a celebration of unrated players to give newcomers an opportunity in chess. Around 100 participants are expected,” said Khamboo.
Khamboo added that as of Thursday, 50 players had already registered.
For the third tournament in Nepal that allows only women players to participate, the academy has partnered with Props Nepal. The collaboration agreement was signed by academy founder Khamboo and Props Nepal chief Deepa Shrestha.
Shrestha said, “We have partnered with the Himalayan Chess Academy to give concrete form to efforts to celebrate women’s chess in Nepal as a festival. We will make the Queen’s Gambit a grand event.”
In the first edition held last year, 142 unrated players aged between five and 67 competed, a record number for women’s chess in Nepal. This year, prizes will be awarded not only to the top eight players but also to winners in the age categories of U-7, U-10, U-13, U-16, and above 50. Awards will also be given to the top three schools and five players as special recognitions.
