Rupesh Jaiswal and Kritisara Adhikari claimed the top prizes as the Nepal Championship 2026 concluded at Hotel Kamakshya in Damak, Koshi Province. The event wrapped up after six days of play, crowning national champions in both the Open and Women’s categories and confirming qualifiers for Nepal’s team at the 46th Chess Olympiad.
The 26th Nepal National Chess Championship and the 11th Nepal Women’s National Chess Championship 2026 were held from 14–19 June 2026. With 12 qualified participants in each section and a round-robin format, the championships brought together the country’s leading players for a direct, all-play-all test where every result mattered in the final standings.
How the Open and Women’s titles were decided
In the Open section, top seed FM Rupesh Jaiswal successfully defended his national title with a standout score of 9.5/11. Jaiswal completed the tournament undefeated, a key marker of consistency across the round-robin schedule, and finished two points clear of the runner-up.
The Women’s section saw Kritisara Adhikari deliver the winning performance. Despite a setback in round six, Adhikari emerged as champion with 8.5/11, doing enough across the full event to secure the title. Behind her, the silver and bronze medals were claimed by the second- and third-place finishers, respectively, as the standings settled after the final round.
Both championships were staged under a single national spotlight, with the Open and Women’s competitions running in parallel at the same venue. The round-robin format ensured each contender faced every other qualified player, making the final scores a comprehensive reflection of form over the full schedule rather than a single elimination run.
Event format and organization
The championships featured 12 qualified participants in each category, competing in a round-robin system. The event was organized jointly by the Province Sports Development Board, Koshi Province, and the Jhapa District Chess Association, under the auspices of the Nepal Chess Federation.
Hosted in Damak, Koshi Province, the tournament served as a key national selection platform as well as a title event, with performances carrying added significance due to Olympiad qualification implications.
Olympiad qualification and federation recognition
Based on performances in the national championships, players qualified to represent Nepal at the 46th Chess Olympiad. The Nepal Chess Federation confirmed the Olympiad qualifiers from the event and issued congratulations to all participants, winners, and qualifiers.
The federation also extended appreciation to the organizers, officials, sponsors, and supporters who contributed to the successful conduct of the championships, marking the conclusion of the 2026 national events in both the Open and Women’s categories.