KATHMANDU, Sept 9: Nepal has lost to Colombia in the ongoing 42th Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan on Friday. Colombia, which is ranked 33, defeated Nepal’s men’s team 3-1as none of the Nepali players expect Bhupendra Niraula registered victory.  

Bhupendra, who is rated 2071, overcame 2510-rated Grand Master Escobar Forero Alder in the 37th move. In the Nepali chess history, it was just third time a Nepali player defeating a Grand Master. Last time Bilam Lal Shrestha had defeated 2358-rated Grand Master Wong Mang Kong of Singapore in the Asian Team Championship. 

On Friday, Bilam Lal lost to 2427-rated Valderrama Quiceno in the 68th move while another Nepali player Keshav Shrestha gave up against  2489-rated Cristhian Camilo in the 52th move. Similarly, 2013-rated Kshitiz Bhandari, who had won his last match, failed to register victory as he lost to 2465-rated Sergio E Barrientos. 

In the women’s section, Nepal was held to a draw with Guam. Sujana Lohani and Shanta Thapa registered victories beating San Nicolas Ava and Ollet Myra respectively. Sujana overcame San Nicolas in the 30th move while Shanta beat Ollet  in the 66th move. However, other two Nepali players Monalisa Khamboo and Sindira Joshi failed to win their respective matches.

In the next round, Nepal will face Jersey and ICCD in the men’s and women’s sections respectively.