LALITPUR: Makhan Chess Club accumulated 14 points to claim the first National Club Team Rating Chess Championship, organised by the Himalayan Chess Club, here today.

Makhan, who were already assured of the championship with four-point lead over Kantipur Chess Club coming into the final round, registered hundred per cent win against Far Western Region in the final round game held in Lagankhel today.

Sajan Pandey defeated Tekendra Raj Pandey, Rajendra Prasad Shrestha saw off Keshav Prasad Gautam while Sujendra Prasad Shrestha and Sitaram Agarwal outplayed Dirgha Raj Joshi and Rawal Basnet in their respective matches. Along with the trophy, Makhan also bagged Rs 50,000. Kantipur Chess Club and Friends of Nation Club from Bhaktapur collected an equal 10 points but Kantipur finished second on better progressive points.

On the final day, Kantipur lost 1.5-2.5 to the Friends of Nation but their defeat made no difference in the final standings. Kantipur took home Rs 30,000 while Friends of Nations got Rs 20,000. Chetansil Samaj, Machhindra Chess Club, Kathmandu Chess Club, Lalitpur Districts Sports Committee, Far Western, Himalayan Chess Club 'A' and Patan Jaycees rounded up the top 10 finishes respectively.

Surbir Lama of Machhindra, Bilam Lal Shrestha of Himalayan 'A', Niranjan Prajapati of Friends of Nations and Sujendra Prasad Shrestha of Makhan won all their seven round matches to the best scorer award of Rs 5,000 each. Raj Kishor Mahato of Chetansil Samaj was declared the best unrated player and Ganesh Man Duwal of Friends of Nation was named the best veteran player. Majdur Sahid Smriti were adjudged the Fair Play Team while Rabindra Shakya of Patan Jaycees was adjudged the Fair Player of the tournament.

HCC set to organise GM Chess tourney

KATHMANDU: The Himalayan Chess Club is considering to organise an International Grandmasters Chess Tournament in Kathmandu within the next three months. The club's treasurer Gyanendra Khaiju informed the club has been working out to host the first ever Grandmasters meet in Nepal. "We've already been provided with a fund of Rs 500,000 from the club president Ram Kumar Thapa and we are seeking other sponsors as well," said Khaiju. The club said it will focus more on the professionalism in chess and organise big tournaments. — HNS