POKHARA: Rupesh Jaiswal and Sujana Lohani have registered their victory in first-phase match of chess tournament taking place in Gorkha district under the Ninth National Games.

Jaiswal of Tribhuvan Army Club defeated Lek Bahadur Thapa of Gandaki Province in the first-phase Open Classic Event.

Similarly, Sujana Lohani of Tribhuvan Army Club won the match defeating Marshal Tamang of Bagmati Province in first-phase Women Classic Event.

Shikshit Bhandari of Nepal Army also won the first-phase match under Open Class defeating Bishwo Bijay Ghimire of Armed Police Force.

Likewise, a match held between Milan Lama of Tribhuvan Army and Manoj BK of Madhes Province ends in draw.

Former national champion Surbir Lama defeated Jemjung Prashant Das of Province 1 while Niken Kusata of Bagmati Province won the match defeating Rajeev Karki of Bagmati Province in the match towards Open Classic.

Similarly, Laxmi Kandel of Bagmati Province defeated Geeta Jaiswal of Armed Police Force in the first-phase match towards Women Classic while Binita Kapali of NRN defeated Sangita Mahato of Madhes Province.

A total of 11 teams are participating in the chess tournament.