Monalisha Khamboo

Monalisha Khamboo (Nepali: मोनालिशा खम्बू; born in Khotang, Nepal) is a distinguished Nepali chess player, promoter, administrator, and gender advocate. She is often regarded as the "Queen of Nepali Chess" and "Master of the Sixty-Four Squares." Monalisha is the first Women’s Chess Champion of Nepal and has achieved the highest FIDE rating among Nepali women at 1877 . She also holds the title of Women Candidate Master (WCM), conferred by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) in 2015, and is the first female International Arbiter from Nepal. Over her career, she has secured the National Women’s Chess Championship of Nepal multiple times and has represented her country in major international chess events, including the Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games, and the World Chess Olympiad. In addition to her playing career, Monalisha has significantly contributed to the development and promotion of chess in Nepal through her various administrative roles.
==Early Life and Education==
Monalisha Khamboo was born and raised in Khotang, Nepal. She is the eldest of three siblings, born to a lawyer father and a teacher mother. Her siblings include Yaishash Yashir Khamboo, a notable chess player and promoter, and Luice Khamboo, who has represented Nepal in the World Youth Championship 2019.
For educational opportunities, Monalisha and her family moved from Khotang to the capital city, Kathmandu. Monalisha completed her secondary education at North Point Academy. She later joined the GoldenGate Educational Foundation for higher education (majoring in science), where she was awarded a scholarship that supported her studies until she completed her Master’s degree. Monalisha holds a Master’s degree in Gender Studies (2024) and Economics (2019), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology (2013), all from Tribhuvan University.
==Chess Career==
==Achievements as a Player==
Monalisha Khamboo has been a prominent figure in Nepali chess for over two decades. She made history as the first Women’s Chess Champion of Nepal and has recieved the highest rating of 1877 among Nepali women. Her significant achievements include winning the National Women’s Chess Championship of Nepal from 2008 to 2011 and again from 2016 to 2019.
In the Asian Games, she competed in 2006 in Doha, Qatar, and in 2010 in Guangzhou, China, securing notable placements. She participated in the Asian Indoor Games in 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam; 2013 in Pyeongchang, South Korea; and 2017 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Additionally, she represented Nepal in the World Chess Olympiad in 2014 in Tromsø, Norway; 2016 in Baku, Azerbaijan; and 2018 in Batumi, Georgia. In recognition of her skill and accomplishments, FIDE awarded her the Women Candidate Master (WCM) title in 2015.
Monalisha's role as a team captain for the Nepal Army Tribhuvan Army Club Chess Team and her gold medal at the 7th National Games are further testaments to her leadership and competitive excellence.
==Achievements as an Administrator==
Khamboo is the first female International Arbiter from Nepal, further solidifying her influence in the chess community. From 2016 to 2022, she served as an Executive Member of the Nepal Chess Association. She has been the Head of the Women’s Commission of the association since 2016 and served as the Chef de Mission Secretariat Officer during the 13th South Asian Games in 2019. Her leadership continued as she was elected Secretary of the Nepal Chess Association (2022-2023) and, more recently, Deputy General Secretary of the Nepal Chess Federation (2023-Present). Since 2022, she has also been a member of the World Chess Federation Women’s Commission, contributing to global efforts to advance women's participation in chess.
==Chess Promotion and Organization==
Monalisha founded the GoldenGate Chess Club in 2012, serving as President until 2024. She established the Himalayan Chess Academy in 2024. She has organized numerous chess events, including the Asian Amateur Chess Championship in 2019 and the South Asian Chess Championship in 2023. As a recognized official, she achieved the FIDE Arbiter title in 2013 and the FIDE Instructor title in 2018. Her organizing skills and fair play advocacy were further validated when she received the International Organizer Norms from FIDE in 2023.
==Beyond Chess==
==Gender Advocacy and GESI Work==
Monalisha Khamboo is well-known for her gender advocacy and dedication to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). She is a vocal advocate for closing the gender gap and actively works on gender issues within the Nepali community. Her commitment to GESI is evident through her efforts to empower women in sports and society at large. She occasionally organizes women empowerment programs and workshops, benefiting over 100 individuals. Additionally, Monalisha has been vocal about her indigenous roots and has worked to highlight the importance of cultural and gender advocacy.
==Confidence Building and Personal Advocacy==
Monalisha is also an advocate for confidence building, particularly for children and differently-abled individuals. She openly shares her personal experience of overcoming a stammering problem, which she managed through her successful career in sports. Her advocacy focuses on empowering others to build self-confidence and overcome challenges.
==Professional Work Outside Chess==
In addition to her contributions to chess, Monalisha Khamboo works as a Research Associate at Eclipse Technical Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. and is an Executive Member of the Institute of Sports Science and Research Nepal. Her work in these roles reflects her broader commitment to advancing sports science and research in Nepal.
==Personal Life==
Monalisha Khamboo is married to Raju Ghising, a well-known sports journalist. Her commitment to sports extends beyond chess and reflects her broader vision of empowering communities through athletic and intellectual pursuits.
==Notable Games==
Throughout her career, Monalisha Khamboo has played numerous notable games at both national and international levels. Detailed records of her games can be found on the FIDE database and other chess platforms.
Category:People from Khotang District
Category:Nepalese chess players
Category:Nepalese people