Joseph Methu, underscored his supremacy in Blitz chess, when he beat a tough field to win the VM Game Night Chess Tournament. He won a voucher valued at KES 5,000.
The 9 round event organised by Terrian Chess Academy was held at the Village Market, Nairobi on 21 April 2018 and 27 players took part. The chief arbiter was Ronald Bolo and each player had 5 minutes to finish the game.
Joseph Methu who turns out for KCB chess team, scored 8 points by winning 7 games and drawing 2 games. He drew in round 4 and 5 against fellow KCB teammates Mehul Gohil and Ben Nguku respectively.
Perhaps the game against Nguku might have made Methu think the gods were abandoning him. Methu was unable to checkmate in a king plus queen and rook endgame against a lonely and besieged king, as he ran out of time.
However, in the penultimate round Anthony Kionga gifted Ben Nguku a draw by stalemating in a king and queen versus king ending. This result saw Methu fancy his chances of being crowned champion as he ecstatically announced to the live camera ‘it’s in the bag now!’.
Mehul Gohil had exuded a lot of confidence before the tournament began, and was sure of winning it and even taunted Nguku off the board. Mehul was however defeated by Nguku when they finally met in round 7. Mehul walked straight into Nguku’s home preparation and the result inevitable.
Ben Nguku finished in second place with 7.5 points to take home a voucher worth KES 3,000. Anthony Kionga who was the 2nd runners up with 6.5 points won a voucher worth KES 2,000. Madol Panchol garnered 6 points to hoist himself to 4th place after missing round 1 to win a voucher worth KES 2,000.
The sibling sister duo of the national U8 girls champion WCM Janvi Nipul Shah and WCM Janki Nipul Shah (1st runners up) put up spirited performances to collect 2 points apiece.
FM Ritvik Pendyala managed 3.5 points. Other unknown juniors were playing away for fun, cheered on by their parents!
Hutchery Live beamed the event live on TCA’s Facebook page for half an hour. Gift vouchers were courtesy of the Village Market management.
Story by Brian Kidula of Terrian Chess Academy (Terrian Chess Academy).