Kathmandu, September 25, 2025.
Moscow, Russia — The Nepal Chess Federation and the Moscow Regional Chess Federation of Russia have signed a six-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Moscow.
The agreement was formally signed and exchanged by Russian politician and senator Sergei Alexandrovich Karjakin and Nepal Chess Federation President Hirakaji Maharjan.
According to the MoU, both federations will promote chess as a medium of friendship and understanding while working together in multiple areas. The pact includes provisions for player exchanges, training programs in both Nepal and Russia, as well as online training sessions.
The agreement also highlights coach skill enhancement, educational workshops, and training to help develop new chess players. Both countries will host bilateral tournaments, which may also be conducted online when necessary. Similarly, seminars, conferences, and other chess-related events will be organized jointly.
As per the MoU, the financial terms and participation of players or delegates will be decided in advance by mutual agreement. The document clarifies that the MoU will not be considered an international treaty and does not create legal obligations under international law—it is solely focused on promoting chess cooperation between the two nations.
The agreement will take effect immediately, with either party allowed to terminate it by providing six months’ written notice.
According to Federation President Maharjan, the six-point agreement was initiated by Kirsan Nikolayevich Ilyumzhinov, President of Russia’s Republic of Kalmykia and Chairman of the Kalmyk Regional Chess Federation. Maharjan further noted that Ilyumzhinov, a Buddhist, had previously conceptualized a Buddhist-nations chess tournament during his visit to Nepal, with the first event held in Kalmykia. It was agreed that the second edition will again take place in Russia, while Nepal will host the third.
Signatory Sergei Karjakin, who once set the record as the world’s youngest chess Grandmaster at just 12 years and 7 months, represented Ilyumzhinov in the signing. As a senator from Crimea, Karjakin praised the impressive level of Nepal’s young chess players and expressed confidence that the agreement would create valuable training opportunities for them.
Following the signing, Federation Spokesperson Raju Tamrakar recalled that Nepal had previously facilitated training for its first-generation chess players from Russian Grandmaster Alexander Fominyh, Bangladeshi GM Niaz Murshed, and Indian GM Govinda Ballabh (GB) Joshi.
