We were honored to host the Women's Chess Marathon in Nepal as part of a global initiative led by the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess (WOM), empowering women and girls through chess. It was conducted throughout the world including South Africa, Zambia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Australia, Portugal, and Italy, all contributing to visibility and opportunity for female chess players.

Queen’s Gambit at the Himalayan Chess Academy welcomed over 100 unrated women and girls, providing a friendly environment to play fast chess, learn, and build meaningful connections. We are incredibly proud to have created a platform that empowers women in Nepal to engage with the sport and showcase their talent.

Himalayan Chess Academy (HCA) hosted Nepal’s first Freestyle Chess Championship from March 9–14, 2025, alongside the Himalayan Blitz Cup, as part of its first-anniversary celebrations. Freestyle chess, founded by Bobby Fischer and popularised by Magnus Carlsen, uses one of 960 starting positions per game, creating a dynamic and creative experience.

The week-long event attracted 50 enthusiastic participants across multiple sections, including boys and girls in U8–U16 categories and rating-based groups, ensuring players of all ages and skill levels could compete.

The inaugural Freestyle Chess Championship marks a milestone for Nepali chess and reflects HCA’s commitment to creating opportunities for young players to think creatively and enjoy the game.

The KMAG Chess Championship 2025 concluded after an exciting 15-day run, bringing together 64 players of all ages and genders in one of the year’s most inclusive chess events. The tournament used a football-style format with 16 groups of four players, followed by an intense knockout stage, ranging from 15-minute rapid rounds to 60-minute classical games in the finals.

Powered by modern technologies including OBS livestreaming, ID Chess digital board capture, and Swiss Manager pairing software, results were posted globally on chess-results.com. The event was made possible with support from sponsors like Hotel Monalisha, Tecto Store, Team 11, Mypay, Mountain Vista Retreat, NepDeko, Arawan Media & Tech, Khelpati, and more.

Organized by GEMS School Dhapakhel in collaboration with Himalayan Chess Academy, the championship brought together 50 talented young chess players in the Under-14 and Under-18 categories for two days of intense competition.

Conducted under the latest laws of chess with Swiss pairing and 15 min + 10 sec increment time controls, the tournament featured seven thrilling rounds. Wins were worth 3 points, draws 1 point, and byes 3 points. Tie-breaks were calculated using opponents’ scores, head-to-head results, and total wins.

Winners and medalists were announced across categories, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze awarded based on performance. Top three schools in each category were also recognized. The event was supervised by Chief Arbiter FA Dipesh Giri, ensuring fair play and smooth execution.

The championship celebrated chess, learning, and camaraderie. Himalayan Chess Academy proudly provided technical support to make the event a success.

The HCA Team Duos Chess Event invited chess enthusiasts to partner up with a friend, family member, or co-worker and compete as a team of two in a fun yet competitive format.

With a total prize pool of NPR 9,000 along with special gifts for the best-performing duos, the event encouraged teamwork, coordination, and strategic thinking beyond individual play.

The HCA Youth Cup 2025 brought together young chess enthusiasts for an exciting day of fast-paced competition at Himalayan Chess Academy.

The tournament featured categories for Under-6, Under-8, Under-10, and an Open section, with medals awarded to top performers. Games were played in a 5+3 rapid format over 7 rounds, encouraging sharp thinking, speed, and sportsmanship.

We were honored to have GM David Smerdon as our special guest, who graciously handed out medals and trophies to the winners—making the occasion even more memorable for the young players.

With lunch and snacks provided and digital participation certificates awarded to all participants, the event reflected HCA’s commitment to nurturing young talent in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Mystics vs The Mind was a truly unique chess experience hosted at Himalayan Chess Academy, where GM David Smerdon played a 1-vs-10 simultaneous exhibition against members of the Aghori Baba community—an ascetic Shaiva tradition known for discipline, reflection, and fearlessness.

The event went far beyond the chessboard. Spectators engaged directly through a live Q&A, photo sessions, and discussions that explored the shared values of chess and spirituality—focus, patience, and self-mastery. Academy students gained rare insight into the life experiences and philosophy of a Grandmaster and his opponents alike.

Led by their chief Harka Raj Rai, a FIDE Arbiter and long-time chess player, the Aghori participants brought calm intensity and deep thought to the boards—demonstrating how chess naturally bridges cultures, beliefs, ages, and ways of life.

Inspired by a meaningful interaction during HCA’s Queen’s Gambit Women’s Chess Marathon, this event became a powerful reminder that chess is one of humanity’s greatest connectors—capable of uniting people from vastly different worlds through mutual respect and shared curiosity.

As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, Himalayan Chess Academy conducted a special empowerment workshop titled “Checkmate Violence: Women’s Empowerment Through Chess.” The program was hosted at the Shanti Foundation Drop-In Center, an organization supporting survivors of trafficking, violence, and high-risk vulnerabilities.

The session brought together 17 women, none of whom had prior experience with chess. Despite this, participants connected quickly with the game, discovering how chess creates a safe space for independent decision-making, focus, and self-belief—qualities especially powerful for individuals rebuilding confidence after trauma.

The workshop included an introduction to chess fundamentals, guided exercises on decision-making and emotional regulation, and open discussions on how strategic thinking can translate into everyday resilience. The session also featured storytelling by Monalisha Khamboo, Nepal’s first Women’s National Champion, who shared her personal journey and insights.

The experience reinforced chess as a quiet yet transformative tool—helping participants regain agency, confidence, and a sense of control. The strong enthusiasm shown by the group has opened the door for continued collaboration, with participants expressing interest in joining HCA’s Women’s Wednesday Chess Program.

As part of Migration Week, Himalayan Chess Academy (HCA) hosted a special chess workshop in collaboration with AMKAS Nepal, welcoming 23 participants including women migrant workers and members of the AMKAS team who support migrant workers and returnees through safe spaces for learning and empowerment.

For all participants, this was their first experience with chess. The session was designed not only to introduce the game, but to foster confidence, resilience, and strategic thinking. From hesitant first moves to moments of deep focus and laughter, participants quickly became immersed, discovering how chess encourages independent decision-making and self-belief.

Beyond the board, discussions explored how chess skills—planning ahead, adapting to challenges, and staying composed—can translate into everyday life. Several participants shared that chess felt like a positive and stimulating alternative to common leisure activities, and many expressed a wish they had learned the game earlier.

The workshop also opened pathways for continued engagement, with participants showing interest in HCA’s Women’s Wednesday program. AMKAS Nepal highlighted how chess could complement their existing psychosocial initiatives by supporting focus, stress reduction, and emotional wellbeing.

This event reaffirmed chess as a powerful psychosocial tool—one that builds patience, confidence, and connection while creating space for reflection and agency. HCA looks forward to strengthening partnerships like this and expanding access to chess as a medium for community development across Nepal.