2015 Kenya National Chess Championship gets off to a fine start

The 2015 Kenya National Championship got off to a fine start yesterday morning at the Strathmore University, Madaraka Campus.  A total of 70 players in the Open section and 14 ladies in the Ladies section are taking part.

Notable players missing from this event include Ben Magana, Githinji Hinga, Rose Wabuti and Sanjana Deshpande.  

The 5 floor Students Centre was bustling with activity with hundreds of students, studying, eating, chatting or doing their homework.  The Student Centre is really the hub of Strathmore University and is forever busy.

The Student’s Centre

The Student’s Centre

The Student Centres hosts a bank, eating places, hairdresser, photo shop, book shop etc.  The top floor hosts the @iLabAfrica which is an IT centre for excellence and been sponsored by various IT & mobile phone operators & companies.

Chess was being played on the 1^st floor and occupied about half the floor.  As expected the place was noisy but this did not affect the players who each seemed to be in a trance of sorts.

Ken Omollo in action

Brian Kidula holds in hand in prayers against Mark Nyairo

Brian Adorwa

Notable results from this event include Martin Oyamo holding fancied Peter Gilruth to a bitter draw in round 3 and Terence Chazima holding national champion prospect Akello Atwoli to a draw in round 1.  In round 3 veteran John Mukabi was defeated by Vincent Ngeno.  Another title contender Ken Omollo was beaten by fast upcoming George Ochieng in round 2.

Billy Chepkonga (left)

Contender for the Crown? Akello Atwoli

James Madol Pacnhol

The lower boards

Peter Gilruth

At the end of day 1 only 4 player remained with top scores and included Mehul Gohil who was scheduled to George Ochieng and Vincent Ngeno who was playing Jackson Kamau.

In the Ladies section both Riya Shah and Isabel Asiema are with maximum points and are scheduled to meet each other in round 4.

Age does not matter

Fathima Mohamed

Riya Shah in serious contention for the title.

Joyce Nyaruai not having a good tournament with on one win on day 1.

This event demands not just chess strength but great stamina due to the tough 3 day games a day on both day 1 and 2.