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    GM Pontus Carlsson tour of Nairobi

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    GM Pontus Carlsson tour of Nairobi

    CMAT (Chess Masters Africa Tour) is sponsored by The Paul Allen Foundation in collaboration with the Kasparov Chess Foundation. The six countries included in the tour are Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.

    GM Pontus Carlsson tour of Kenya is the third Chess Masters Africa Tour.  The first one being the tour of  GM Kenny Solomon (RSA) in Kenya in February.  It was followed by IM Rodwell Makoto in April 2017.

    Cohort 3 CMAT Trainees Kenya:

    Proud trainees. Standing from left Phillip Singe, Ian King, Brian Kariuki, Paul Ombui, Ricky Sang, Ronald Bolo, Martin Njoroge, Shem Vilembwa, Terrence Chazima. Sitting from left Timothy Omondi, Joyce Nyaruai, GM Pontus Carlsson, Roselinda Irungu, Wilberforce Gitau, Anthony Kionga
    Proud trainees. Standing from left Phillip Singe, Ian King, Brian Kariuki, Paul Ombui, Ricky Sang, Ronald Bolo, Martin Njoroge, Shem Vilembwa, Terrence Chazima. Sitting from left Timothy Omondi, Joyce Nyaruai, GM Pontus Carlsson, Roselinda Irungu, Wilberforce Gitau, Anthony Kionga

    Itinerary

    DAY 1 – 11TH May: Arrival and Rest Day

    JKIA Airport  – Arrival, pick up of GM Pontus Carlsson and Ms Tereza Pribanova of Chess in Schools and Communities UK by Githinji Hinga and Joy of MiniChess Kenya.

    GM Pontus Carlsson and Tereza Pribanova arrive at JKIA Airport Nairobi,
    GM Pontus Carlsson and Tereza Pribanova arrive at JKIA Airport Nairobi,
    Sampling a local beverages.
    Sampling a local beverages.
    DAY 2 – 12th May: School Visits – Mukuru Kwa Njenga

    0800-1500 – We set out for Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums where MiniChess Kenya has a pilot program with 100 learners drawn from three schools:

    1. Redroof School – (Carson Academy)
    2. High View Academy
    3. Imara Daima SDA Primary School

    The program is sponsored by Chess in Schools and Communities (CISC) UK and Kapsarov Chess Foundation Africa. The program is run by MiniChess Kenya in collaboration with the Sports Outreach Ministries.

    GM Pontus Carlsson and Ms Tereza Pribanova visited all three schools and had a chance to experience classes first-hand. These were conducted by MiniChess Teachers, Eric Oyugi and Titus Gichuka. They also had a talk with the principals and director of the slum schools. GM Pontus Carlsson gave an inspirational talk and chess lesson to the children. It was a rare and memorable occasion for all.

    1430 – Visit Sports Outreach Office – The duo met with the Sports Outreach Ministries director, Pastor Francis Juma. There was a training in progress at the office and we got a chance to speak with the facilitator and world famous Eng. Robert Katende of the Queen of Katwe fame.

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    Tough conditions at the slum, gum boots came in handy.
    Tough conditions at the slum, gum boots came in handy.
    Porridge Break - GM Pontus Carlsson and Githinji Hinga Regional Coordinator of Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa.
    Porridge Break – GM Pontus Carlsson and Githinji Hinga Regional Coordinator of Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa.
    Warm reception at Imara Daima SDA School.
    Warm reception at Imara Daima SDA School.
    MiniChess Class in progress, Teacher Titus has a new student.
    MiniChess Class in progress, Teacher Titus has a new student.
    With High View Academy director Mr Pascal Angulu.
    With High View Academy director Mr Pascal Angulu.
    DAY 3 and 4 – 13-14TH May: Training of Trainers

    1000 – 1900Hrs

    Joint Training Sessions – Lotos Inn and Suites Hotel Nairobi.

    GM Pontus Carlsson gave sessions on the following:

    • Opening, Middle game and End game themes and drills.
    • Strength Training.
    • Training Techniques and resources.
    • Training Etiquette and checklists.
    • Rocket Chess, Suicide Chess and other fun but great chess strategy games.
    Training in progress.
    Training in progress.
    Kenya Broadcasting Corporation TV Interview.
    Kenya Broadcasting Corporation TV Interview.

    Kenya Broadcasting Corporation TV Interview. Please find link to the TV Interview that appeared on KBC TV News 9 pm on 13th May.

    DAY 5 – 7– 15TH May: Training of Trainers and School Visits

    GM Pontus Carlsson gave one on one training plans and evaluations to individual trainees. He identified areas for improvement and prescribed books and videos as homework.

    CMAT Partner Schools Visits

    GM Pontus Carlsson along with the trainees visited partner schools and donated chess equipment as follows:

    • 15 Chess boards and Sets.
    • 2 Chess Clocks.
    • 1 Demonstration Chess Board.

    We met the School administrators and did chess coaching at every school. This gave an opportunity to GM Carlsson to evaluate the trainees ability to teach.

    Monday – Ngara Girls High School

    Joyce Nyaruai Introduces the game to the girls.
    Joyce Nyaruai Introduces the game to the girls.

    Tuesday – Dagoretti High School Boys

    Nairobi Milimani School.
    Nairobi Milimani School.
    Introduction to Chess by GM Pontus Carlsson.
    Introduction to Chess by GM Pontus Carlsson.
    GM Carlsson visits local Chess Club at Motor Sports Club South C in one of the nights
    GM Carlsson visits local Chess Club at Motor Sports Club South C in one of the nights

    Editor’s note – We believe that these 3 visits have sown the seeds for chess to flourish over the next few decades.  The hard work remains to ensure that there are enough events and strong structures to keep up the momentum.

    Report on the CMAT (Chess Masters Africa Tour) was prepared by the Githinji Hinga.  Heis the Regional Coordinator – East Africa for Kasparov Chess Foundation – Africa.

    Links to other Chess Masters Africa Tour articles

    IM Rodwell Makoto of Zimbabwe visits Kenya.

    GM Kenny Solomon of South Africa visits Kenya.

     

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