Mixed bag for Nepal in Asian Zonal Chess

Kathmandu, March 20

Nepal’s Nabin Tandukar and Bhagawati Prasad Sharma won the open category matches of the Asian Zonal 3.2 Chess Championship here today.

Tandukar saw fellow countryman Mohan Singh Pradhan, while Bhagawati Prasad Sharma defeated Md Imran Khan, also from Nepal. Three Nepali players played draws against Bangladeshi opponents.

FIDE Master Manish Hamal settled for a draw with Grand Master Niaz Murshed, while Ashish Phuyal shared points with International Master Abu Safian Shakil, and Kshitiz Bhandari was held by Rahaman Md Taibur.

In other matches involving Nepali players, Madan Krishna Kayastha was beaten by Bangladesh’s Ziaur Rahaman, Himal Lama faced a defeat against Bangladeshi GM Abdullah Al Rakib and Ranjan Kunwar suffered a defeat against Aman Ibrahim of the Maldives.

After the second round, Bangladeshi GM duo Rahman Ziaur and Mollah Abdullah Al Rakib and FM Rahman Syed Mahfuzur have two points each. Three Bangladeshis — GM Murshed Niaz, GM Hossain Enamul and FM Rahman Md Taibur and five Nepalis — CM Kshitiz Bhandari, CM Keshav Shrestha, Sumit Panta, FM Manish Hamal and Aashish Phuyal — are tied on 1.5 points.

In women’s category, Nepal’s Kusi Matina beat Poonam Prasai and Sabina Shrestha produced a victory against Shanta Thapa Magar. Three Bangladeshi players — WIMs Shamima Akter and Hamid Rani and Sharmin Samiha Shimmi — are tied on two points, while six others including two Nepali players — Matina Kusi and Sabina Shrestha — have one apiece.