Rupesh keeps hope alive

KATHMANDU: Rupesh Jaiswal kept Nepal's hopes alive with yet another win in the 11th Standard Chartered School Chess in Dhaka on Sunday.

Nepali national U-15 champion Jaiswal beat Kawsar Hussien to stay in contention for the boys' section championship.

After the six days of play Jaiswal have accumulated 5.5 points. He registered the win after 32nd move and said that he adopted the offence strategy after observing the style of the local opponent.

"His (Jaiswal) style of play put extreme pressure on the Bangladeshi opponent and eventually handing the game to him (Jaiswal)," said Nepali coach Nabin Tandukar. Tandukar also said the win has placed Jaiswal as one of the favourites.

Meanwhile, another Nepali player Bijay Raj Aryal also won today. Aryal saw off Roni Das and now have four points. "I am extremely happy with the victory and my confidence is also getting high," said Aryal. In the girls section, Shanta won her match but Ashmita Adhikari was held to a draw.

Shanta now have five points after defeating Ananya in the 59th move. Shanta is one of the five players in the second place, one point adrift of the lead. Ashmita drew with Feroza after 60th move.