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2011 All Africa Games, Chess Qualifiers & My Free Coffee

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All Africa Games

I ventured out last Sunday 14th August 2011 to see some chess action.  The ‘chess stadium’ was Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Naivasha Hall.  This was where some 40 male chess players and 20 ladies were battling to make the team.  Only 4 men and 4 ladies were going to be part of the team.  It was a brutal first leg where the Swiss format event was used to select the top 10 who were now going to play a round robin.

Need I mention the traffic along Thika Road – yes on a Sunday afternoon, horrible and story for another day.
Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Venue of the 2011 All African Games chess qualifiers. AG Photo credit Wikicommons.
Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Venue of the 2011 All African Games chess qualifiers. AG Photo credit Wikicommons.

The venue was breathtaking.  Check out my Google Earth photo of the site.  This stadium was build for the 1987 All Africa Games which were held in Nairobi and it was funded by the Chinese Government.  My immediate reaction was ‘2012 Africa Junior Chess Championship‘ must be held here.

The free coffee!

After parking my car and looking for the venue and rushing in with my Canon camera in tow.  I came across the coffee/tea table laid out with cups/saucers/ and cakes.  I was cordially invited to partake some refreshments which I gladly did so after my long torturous journey.  So here I was enjoying a free cup of coffee from the government.

Githinji Hinga with the Black pieces on his way to victory against Ricky Sang in the 2011 All African Games chess qualifiers.
Githinji Hinga with the Black pieces on his way to victory against Ricky Sang in the 2011 All African Games chess qualifiers.
Mehul Gohil popularly known as "Gorilla" feeling very patriotic and sporting his new Kenya cap in the 2011 All African Games chess qualifiers.
Mehul Gohil popularly known as “Gorilla” feeling very patriotic and sporting his new Kenya cap in the 2011 All African Games chess qualifiers.
Kenya's number 1 player Peter Gilruth (left) takes on Maputo hopeful Wachira Wachania in the 2011 All African Games chess qualifiers.
Kenya’s number 1 player Peter Gilruth (left) takes on Maputo hopeful Wachira Wachania in the 2011 All African Games chess qualifiers.

Temple of Caissa

It was amazing.  Andolo Ambasi, the Chairman of Chess KenyaLarry Kagambi, the General Secretary and committee member Steve Ouma were present.  Others included officials from the Ministry of Sports Mr Ratemo & Ruy Mwendwa Mututo and of course – the chess players and spectators themselves.  Everyone was very cordial and the atmosphere was electric.

Who could have imagined that this group of ‘friends’ were at each others throats just few months ago?  The last Chess Kenya AGM held on 30th January 2011 was crudely aborted after 6 hours!  We had lawyers letters sent from officials to certain players.  For the first time we had a suit filed by a chess official against a player.  What high powered drama!

View of the playing hall.
View of the playing hall.

The Qualifier almost did not happen. It was a last minute plan that was almost sabotaged, but here we were. Players, Bigwigs from Chess Kenya, officials from the ministry, parents, diehard fans all congregating to honour Caissa  the goddess of chessThe objective being to seek the Fabulous Four to represent Kenya.

This event must rank amongst the strongest event held in Kenya over the recent past.

Final standings

The final standings of the chess qualifiers are as follows:

MEN

1.       PETER GILRUTH – 7.5.
2.       MEHUL GOHIL – 6.5.
3.       MARTIN GATERI – 6.0..
4.       JOSEPH ATWOLI – 5.5
5.       BENJAMIN MAGANA – 5.0.
6.       GITHINJI HINGA – 4.5
7.       MATTHEW KANEGENI – 3.5.
8.       GEORGE MATHEA – 3.5.
9.       RICKY SANG’ – 1.5.
10.   WILLIAM WACHANIA – 1.5.

Peter Gilruth who was placed 11th overall on Saturday joined the last ten following the withdrawal of Martin Oyamo.

LADIES

1.       VAISHNAVI RAMMOHAN – 6.5.
2.       ISABELLE ASIEMA – 6.0.
3.       REHEMA MARIA – 6.0.
4.       GWEYANI JUMBA – 5.5.
5.       PURITY GACHIGI – 5.5.
6.       ROSEMARY WABUTI – 4.0.
7.       ELIZABETH MINAYO – 4.0.
8.       SHEFALI KACHRA – 3.5.
9.       WINROSE NYOTA – 2.0.
10.     LEAH WANGARI – 1.0.

For the ladies, position no. 4 was decided on an accelerated time ‘blitz’ in which Gweyani Jumba defeated Purity Gachigi 2-1.  Rehema Maria who was placed 11th overall on Saturday joined the last ten following the withdrawal of Saloni Karania.

Links

FM Harold Wanyama wins bronze medal at the 2019 AAG.

Reflection on the 2019 AAG.

Mehul Gohil crowned King of AAG.

Amos Simiyu wins AAG Phase 2.

2019 AAG Qualifiers Day 3 Report.

2019 AAG Qualifiers Day 2 Report.

AAG to feature chess.