Kayastha inches closer to title

KATHMANDU, July 5: Madan Krishna Kayastha of Golden Gate College inched closer to the title on Friday taking sole lead in the NECOS Second Nationwide FIDE Rating Chess Tournament being held in the capital.



With only one round left, Kayastha holds a one-point lead over Punyaman Karmacharya of Gajurmukhi Chess Club. Now even a draw in the last round against compatriot Rupesh Jaiswal would be sufficient for Kayastha to clinch the title. Kayastha, rated 2029, recorded victories in both the eighth and ninth round matches played on Friday to accumulate 8.5 points.[break]



Kayastha defeated former national champion Surbir Lama in the eighth round and Rajan Puri in the ninth. Karmacharya defeated Himal Lama and Bilamlal Shrestha respectively to climb to the second spot with 7.5 points.



Surbir Lama, Bilamlal Shrestha, Rupesh Jaiswal and Krishna Thapa are tied for third on seven points each. Similarly, Badrilal Nepali, Niraj Niraula, Sujendra Prasad Shrestha, Prakash Nepal and Janardan Shrestha have collected 6.5 points each. Mohan BK of Dolakha, the only blind chess player in the tournament, has three points.

The event carries the highest cash prize of Rs 250,000 in domestic chess, of which the winner will bag Rs 50,000. The last round matches will be held on Saturday.

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