Rambir Memorial chess:
Computer reigns supreme

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, August 29: Computer reigned supreme and emerged the champion with a total of 8.5 points of the ongoing Rambir Memorial Chess Championship held at the Tarini Bahal of Makhan tol of Kathmandu.

Having 2350 as the championship rating points, the computer with German built Fritz-3 database chess programme defeated eight out of nine rivals and drew one match during the nine day long tournament. The computer’s victim includes various former Nepal chess champions.

In today’s final game, it defeated Sujendra Shrestha who had seven points prior to match. But Sujendra lost to computer from the position where he could have forced a draw with computer.

Meanwhile, the current Nepal Champion Badri Lal Nepali secured second position after obtaining 7.5 points while Rajendra Prasad Shrestha was third and his brother fourth.

According the organisers the matches were played with Swiss League basis. The lists of the final players obtaining first ten positions are:

1.Computer 2. Badri Lal Nepali 3. Rajendra Prasad Shrestha 4. Sujendra Prasad Shrestha 6. Navin Tandukar 7.Digesh Malla 8.Rabindra Shakya 9. Prachanda Malakar 10.Ram Prasad Karsula.

After the conclusion of the tournament, Kathmandu Mayor Keshav Sthapit distributed the prizes to winners and others players. The organizing committee honored senior past chess players.

At the function, Mayor Sthapit said that unity among chess players is essential to submit their demand effectively. He also said that he is committed to help the cause of chess in Nepal.

Bikash Bhakta Shrestha, the chairman of the ward no.25 where the chess games were held said that he is happy that the Rambir memorial chess was oraganised in his locality. He said that he would be ready to help to organise such kind of tournament in future too.

Journalist and advisor to the tournament Sita Ram Agrahari also spoke at the function.