Kathmandu: The Under-19 and U-15 National Chess Tournaments began here on Sunday. A total of 25 players — all boys — are taking part in the Under-19 championship, while 43 players including four girls are vying for the U-15 championship. The tournaments will be held over seven rounds under the Swiss League format. The matches will be held from Monday.

The tournaments carries a total prize money of Rs 36,000. The top two players from the championships will qualify for the second Asian Junior Chess Championship to be held in Sri Lanka from July 15. Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Member Secretary of National Sports Council, inaugurated the championships that will run till May 14.

Meanwhile, Nepal Chess Association (NCA) informed that the Russian GM Alexander Fominiyh is arriving here on Monday to provide training to the Nepali players from May 15.

The NCA also said players from Assam were coming to Nepal to participate in the Nepal-India Friendly Chess Championship to be held here from June 2. A total of 20 players, 10 each from Nepal and India, will take part in the two-leg series. The Nepali players will tour India later.