Kathmandu, March 21

Madan Krishna Kayastha, Shanta Thapa and Sindira Joshi recorded wins in the Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championship here today.

In the open category, national champion Kayastha defeated former champion Nabin Tandukar and earned two points after third round.

Candidate Master Kshitiz Bhandari settled for a draw against Bangladeshi FIDE Master Niaz Murshed, while Keshab Shrestha played a draw against Sumit Panta, and FIDE Master Manish Hamal was held to a draw by FIDE Master Rahman Taibur. Bhandari, Shrestha and Hamal earned two points each.

Bangladesh Grand Masters Ziaur Rahman and Abdullah Al Rakib are leading the standing with 2.5 points each.

In women’s category, Shanta Thapa outplayed WCM Mahmuda Hoque of Bangladesh, while Sindira Joshi saw off Poonam Prasai.

WIM Hamid Rani of Bangladesh recorded third consecutive win as she defeated WIM Shamima Akter, also from Bangladesh. Sri Lanka’s Saumy Zainab defeated Kusi Matina of Nepal. Aktar and Zainab have two points each.