KATHMANDU: Nepal’s top-ranked chess players Rupesh Jaiswal and Bibek Thing on Thursday left for Russia to pursue studies after they received scholarships from Peoples’ Friendship University of Moscow for six years.

According to Nepal Chess Association (NCA), President of World Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had promised the scholarship to two players. Jaiswal and Thing were selected as per their performance in national and international tournaments, informed the association.

Jaiswal had won medals in Blitz and Rapid section in the Asian Age-Group Chess Tournament in Singapore earlier this year, while Thing is reigning U-19 champion. President of NCA Rajesh Hari Joshi said FIDE president has promised more scholarships to Nepali players.