6th Open International Chess Tournament to Begin in Dolakha

Dolkha: The Dolakha Chess Home has announced that all preparations are complete for the 6th Open International Chess Tournament, scheduled to run from May 11 to May 15 (Baisakh 28 – Jestha 2). The event was officially detailed during a press conference held on Friday.

Tournament Structure and Participation

Event coordinator and club president Govinda Man Shrestha confirmed that the competition will feature two distinct formats: Classical and Rapid. The tournament is sanctioned by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), and the Nepal Chess Federation (NCF).

v

enue: Simpani Assembly Hall, Charikot.

Participants: Approximately 350 players (ranging from ages 10 to 85).

Field: Competitors from 10 nations, including Nepal, USA, Russia, China, Mongolia, Philippines, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Top Seeds

The international field is led by high-ranking Grandmasters and International Masters:

GM Kiriakov Petr (Russia): Top seed (Rating: 2486)  

Arpan Das (India): Second seed (Rating: 2331)  

FM Nayem Haque (Bangladesh): Third seed (Rating: 2156)

FM Rupesh Jaiswal (Nepal): Nepal Champion, fourth seed (Rating: 2103)

Prizes and Budget

With a total estimated budget of Rs. 2.55 million, the tournament offers a total prize pool of Rs. 667,500. A total of 108 participants will receive cash awards across various categories.

Classical Category: Rs. 502,000 in total prizes (90 min + 30 sec increment).

Rapid Category: Rs. 171,500 in total prizes (held in memory of former NCF VP, FM Sujendra Prasad Shrestha).