Battle for Kenya National Chess Championships title hots up
Ben Nguku in a warm up match against Ricky Sang during the Kenya National Chess Championship at Luke Hotel, Nairobi on December 27, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Another nine players were jointly second with 2.5 points in the same category of the competition, which is being hosted by Chess Kenya at The Luke Hotel in Nairobi.
- At stake for the competitors in the “Open” section is a brand new, Mazda Demio car while the top player in the ladies section will pocket Sh100, 000.
The 2021 Kenya National Chess Championships on Monday continued to live up to its billing, with 13 players in the “Open” section tying at the top with three points after three rounds.
Another nine players were jointly second with 2.5 points in the same category of the competition, which is being hosted by Chess Kenya at The Luke Hotel in Nairobi.
At stake for the competitors in the “Open” section is a brand new, Mazda Demio car while the top player in the ladies section will pocket Sh100, 000.
Candidate Master (CM) Ben Magana in action against Nephat Muchiri on December 27, 2021 in the third round of the Kenya National Chess Championships at Luke Hotel, Nairobi.
The best players in the Persons Living with Disability “open” and “ladies” sections will each receive Sh10,000.
Mehul Gohil, the defending champion in the “Open” section maintained his perfect start of the contest with victory over Elvis Likoko.
In his two opening matches of the championships on Sunday, Mehul who was formerly with KCB Chess Club defeated Robert Mcligeyo and Brian Kirwa all who are rated below him. He said it was “too early to celebrate the wins, as the competition is tough and anything can happen.”
Victor Ngani, Joseph Methu, Martin Njoroge, Lawrence Kagambi and Hillary Sagwa are the other players in the “open” section who maintained a 100 percent record in three rounds.
The rest are Hugh Misiko, Vincent Odhiambo, James Kabui, Shafat Abdi, Elijah Kamau, Muriuki Koome and Clement Chomu.
For top seed and Candidate Master (CM) Ben Magana he continued with his revival with victory over Nephat Thuku.
After being held by Zadock Nyakundi in Sunday’s opening round, Magana who is a six-time Olympiad, bagged his first victory with a defeat over Victor Githui.
Fide Masters (FM) Martin Gateri and Stephen Ouma bounced back to winning ways by outwitting Martin Kagiri and Edwin Odhiambo respectively.
After registering wins in their opening rounds, Gateri a five-time Olympiad was held by Victor Hongo while Ouma was upset by Thomas Nzioki.
In the ladies section, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Joyce Nyaruai, Gloria Jumba, Woman Fide Master (WFM) Sasha Mongeli and Cynthia Awino tied top with three points after three rounds.
Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Joyce Nyaruai ponders her next move during her Kenya National Chess Ladies Championship match against Triza Mwendwa on December 27, 2021 at Luke Hotel, Nairobi.
Defending champion and WCM Lucy Wanjiru tied second with Jully Mutisya and Glenda Madelta on seven points.
While Wanjiru started the competition brightly by outsmarting Silvia Wahito, she was held by fast-rising junior player Elizabeth Cassidy in the second round.
The defending champion bounced back to winning ways by outwitting Vivian Muthoni.
The competition will come to an end on December 31.
