KATHMANDU: Rupesh Jaiswal remained in the leaders’ group with a fourth-round win at the 11th Standard Chartered School-level Chess Championship in Dhaka, Bangladesh today.

Rupesh accumulated four points to keep himself in the title contention. On Friday, Rupesh defeated Md Nazamus Islam in the fourth round on the 41st move.

Rupesh said the experience and right strategy were the keys behind his success.

His coach, Nabin Tandukar, however, was not impressed with the win. “His opponent

was relatively weak today,”

said Tandukar.

The Nepali team received a blow when Shanta Thapa lost her first match in Dhaka.

Shanta, who registered wins in the previous three matches,

lost to Subikun Naher in the fourth round. Shanta was forced to surrender in front of her opponent after a series of wrong moves. “She made one after another mistake,” said coach Tandukar.

Asmita Adhikari won her fourth round match against Fatematuz Zohura. Asmita finished the match in the 41st move. Both Asmita and Shanta have three points each. Bijay Raj Aryal lost his second match of the championship.

Bijay went down to Omer Faruk in the 62nd move despite having an advantage over

his opponent. Bijay has two points. “I was on top but lost the match after I made the wrong sacrifice,” he said.