Unbeaten KCB claim Kenya Online Chess Premier League crown
KCB team manager Isaac Babu (right) plays a chess match at KCB Sports Club on April 16, 2018.
What you need to know:
- KPCL’s Secretary General Anthony Kionga said they are happy to see the competition coming to a successful conclusion.
- Some of the challenges they faced included poor network connections, power outages and lack of good computers. The KPCL which takes place physically will resume next year.
Giants KCB Chess Club have made history again after winning the inaugural Kenya Online Chess Premier League (KPCL) unbeaten.
Out of 20 league matches, the bankers bagged maximum points in 19 and drew in one to top the log with 58 points. Pawncalypse who still have a contest against Lighthouse Alpha are second, with 52 points.
Should Pawncalypse outwit Lighthouse, they will cement their second place finish in the 21-team league with 55 points.
Chess Kenya came up with the online league to help keep players across the country active during this coronavirus pandemic that halted several sporting events early this year and in 2020.
Teams were allowed to register for the online league irrespective of their rank in the local scene.
They just needed to pay the registration fee and meet all the Chess Kenya requirements to take part in the competition.
KCB lifted the title in style by outwitting Pawncalypse 5-1 over the weekend.
“There is no way they (Pawlycalypse) were going to beat us in the title race. We have a very committed, strong team and experienced team than any other in the country,” bragged KCB’s Team Manager Isaac Babu.
It was only Kenyatta University that made them sweat, as the two teams settled for a 3-3 draw in round 14.
KCB’s arch-rivals, Equity Chess Club did not register for the online league. It is the second time that bankers have won the local competition unbeaten.
They won the 2018 Kenya Premier Chess League (KPCL) title unbeaten – becoming the first team to achieve such a feat in the history of the competition.
Victory in the inaugural online chess league sees KCB extend their dominance of the local competition to seven league titles.
They bagged six in 10 KPCL seasons held since 2003. Only Equity Chess Club and National Bank of Kenya (NBK) have challenged KCB for the title. In the last 10 years, Equity have won three titles and NBK one.
KPCL’s Secretary General Anthony Kionga said they are happy to see the competition coming to a successful conclusion.
Some of the challenges they faced included poor network connections, power outages and lack of good computers. The KPCL which takes place physically will resume next year.
