A room full of children aged between 4-16, were silent, concentrating on their chess pieces and thinking about the next move of their opposition. Some of them were excited as they were near victory and some were worried, anticipating a potential checkmate.
This scene occurred at a Himalayan Chess Academy, a chess academy dedicated to children at Thapathali, Kathmandu.
A dream come true
Unlike cricket, football, and volleyball, chess is a sport that has not been well-recognised in Nepal. It lacks proper infrastructure and receives little to no support from government bodies. Despite the crises, Monalisha Khamboo, the first woman chess champion, mustered the courage to open her academy for the betterment of the chess scene in Nepal.
Monalisa Khamboo, the first woman from Nepal to achieve an International Arbiter license from the World Chess Federation (FIDE), began playing chess at a young age. As she pursued her passion for chess, she became a professional player, winning numerous competitions and travelling to various countries to participate in tournaments. Over time, she built connections with individuals involved in chess and gained valuable knowledge from the places she visited and the people she met.
Through her international friends, Khamboo learned more about the chess culture in countries beyond Nepal. They shared insights about the infrastructure necessary for chess and introduced her to the concept of chess academies—spaces not only for playing chess but also for hosting various chess-related events. Then she realised that Nepal does not have such a place where one can play chess, discuss chess and experience various programs related to chess.
Since then, she has always dreamed of creating a similar space. In 2023, she travelled to Europe and India to closely observe the culture of chess academies. ‘I wanted to have a place where people could gather to play, learn, talk, and discuss chess,’ says Khamboo. To fulfil her long-held dream, she established the Himalayan Chess Academy on March 14, 2024.
Building success amid challenges
Khamboo recalls that opening the academy was not easy, as she lacked sufficient support from her close ones. ‘Many of my friends and relatives asked me to drop the idea of starting the chess academy,’ she recalls. ‘They told me I would face a loss.’
However, she is grateful to her husband, Raju Ghising, who stood out from the rest and supported her in making her dream a reality. It has been just nine months since she started the Himalayan Chess Academy, and there are already around 100 students enrolled.
Khamboo believes that the public relations she built over the years as a chess player significantly contributed to the large number of students joining the academy. Additionally, her experience working with the Nepal Chess Association and founding the GoldenGate Chess Club during her high school years proved instrumental in running the academy successfully.
According to Khamboo, word of mouth from parents whose children are enrolled in the academy has been key to attracting more students. ‘The parents have noticed positive changes in their children, such as improved patience and reduced anger issues,’ says Khamboo to Onlinekhabar. ‘Thanks to their involvement in chess, the children have also been spending less time on screens.
She considers the parents as the “ambassadors” of the academy. Similarly, the academy’s students’ participation in and achievement in various competitions promotes the academy. In a short period, the academy has not merely enrolled a good number of students but has also hosted four competitions. It has also formed technical partnerships with various chess competitions.
More collaborations for more chess
While the academy is running smoothly, Khamboo has already identified some challenges in managing it. Among the various challenges, the major challenge is the lack of trainers. She emphasised the need for a foreign trainer to elevate the level of chess players in Nepal, noting that the current trainers may lack the expertise required to secure international achievements.
“To achieve the dream of an International master and grandmaster, we will need training from a foreign coach,” says Khamboo. “And to hire the foreign coach we need to be financially strong, that is another challenge.”
As of late, the Himalayan Chess Academy has been running various chess camps and collaborating with organisations interested in chess. Moreover, to make chess accessible for everyone, the academy is also providing scholarships for the deserving. Currently, 10 students are learning with scholarships at the Himalayan Chess Academy.
“In the coming days, we aim to further promote chess culture and encourage greater participation of women in chess. To achieve this, we plan to host more events and collaborate with various organisers,” Khamboo concludes.
