LALITPUR: Nikesh Duwal, Madan Krishna Kayastha and Sachin Maharjan of Bhaktapur shared the lead with 3.5 points after the completion of the fourth round of the National Under-19 Chess Championship here on Tuesday.

Nikesh played a draw with Madan Krishna in the third round before beating Prajwol Rajopadhyay of Bhaktapur in the fourth round. Madan Krishna beat Sourav Pradhan of Rupandehi in the fourth round, while Sachin beat Kishor Budhathoki of Kathmandu in the third and Prakash Nepal — who was on top after the first day — of Jhapa in the fourth round.

With three points, Dharmendra Chaudhary of Banke, Manishwor Thapa of Kathmandu, Rabin Sunuwar of Kathmandu are joint second. Prashanta Bhasima of Bhaktapur and Deepak Lamichhane of Kathmandu are joint third with 2.5 points apiece.

In Under-15 Championship, Bijan Man Thaiba of Rupandehi, Rupesh Jaiswal of Rautahat, Bijay Raj Aryal of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur trio of Sri Krishna Prajapati, Anil Silpakar and Deep Musyafa are atop with 3,5 points each.

Bijan beat Nabin Jaiswal and played a draw against Sri Krishna Prajapati, who later beat Raj Prajapati. Rupesh defeated Asmita Adhikari and Subha Kalyan Shrestha, while Bijay beat Sakriya Awal and Bijay Dangol. Anil outplayed Suraj Lohani and played a draw against Deep Musyafa, who defeated Tara Ghale.

Nabin Jaiswal of Rautahat, Akash Subedi of Nuwakot, Suraj Lohani of Kathmandu, Krishna Dev Chaudhary of Saptari and Sagar KC of Kathmandu are joint second with three points. With 2.5 points each, Tara Ghale of Khotang and Prashant Thapa of Kathmandu are joint third.