Kathmandu, September 13

Sujana Lohani became first Nepali woman chess player to earn the title of the FIDE Master.

Lohani reached the landmark at the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan on Monday where she earned six points from eight matches. Lohani confirmed the title after beating Mahlauli Manyeli of Lesotho in the 10th round of women’s team event, according to Nepal Chess Association General Secretary Herakaji Maharjan.

Manish Hamal, the first FM for Nepal, had earned the title at the 38th Chess Olympiad in Germany in 2008.

Similarly, Suruchi Thing won the title of Candidate Master during the 41st Chess Olympiad held in Norway in 2014, which was the first participation in women section. Monalisa Khamboo is the second CM for Nepal.

She had earned the title during the Asian Zonal 3.2 Championship held in Nepal last year.

Meanwhile, women’s team produced a 2.5-1.5 win against Lesotho. Apart from Lohani’s victory, Sindira Joshi beat Maboloko Leboela and CM Khamboo played a draw against Tiisetso Hatane. Shanta Thapa lost to Ngatane Lieketseng. This is second win for women’s team which had defeated Swaziland. Nepal will face Aruba in their last match.

In men’s section, the Nepali team lost to Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the 10th round match. Sajin Maharjan played a draw against FM Austin Yang Ching Wei and Kshitiz Bhandari shared points with Po-Yen Min.

CM Keshav Shrestha suffered a defeat at the hands of Raymond Song and CM Bhupendra Niraula went down to Yeh Yang Liu. The men’s team will face Iraq in their last match.