Kathmandu, February 14:

Monalisa Khambu of Times College won both the matches to take sole lead at the first National Women’s Chess Championship organised by Nepal Chess Association here today.

The 15th Asian Games participant, Monalisa defeated Shanta Thapa of Deep Jyoti in the fourth round before beating Asmita Adhikari, also from Deep Jyoti, in the fifth round to accumulate five points.

Deep Jyoti trio Shanta, Asmita and Bishaikha Jaiswal and Khwapring School Manita Kusi shared the second position with four points each.

Shanta defeated Rajani Shrestha of Green Land, while Asmita beat Manita Kusi in their fifth round matches. Manita, however, returned to beat Green Land’s Alisha Dhakal in the fifth round. Like Monalisa, Bishaikha also registered two wins beating Sakuntala Lama of Morang and Suman Dura of Green Land.

Sharing the third position were Tara Ghale, Bina Jaiswal, Purnima Jaiswal and Samikshya Gautam with 3.5 points apiece. Six players — Sangita Jaiswal, Pallavi rauniyar, Santoshi Shah, Sindira Joshi, Alisha Dhakal and Suman Dura — have earned three points. The sixth and seventh round matches are slated for Sunday.