Day 2 of the 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship was once again hot and exciting.
It all started when the organisers had to relocate rooms at short notice. This caused a minor delay at the start of round 3.
Mehul Gohil who was one of the hot favourites lost to Joseph Maigua in round 3. This second loss in the event almost knocks him out of contention to win this year’s edition. The loss meant that he was relegated to the unfamiliar board 30 in his fourth round game.
Joseph Maigua was on fire again when he demolished veteran CM John Mukabi in round 4.
Moses Andiwoh squeezed a draw out of defending champion CM Ben Magana.
CM Ben Magana in action against Moses Andiwoh.
Matthew Kanegeni & Ben Nguku were firmed perched on the top with 4 points out of 4 rounds. Round 5 will see these two stalwarts battle it out.
Social media comments on the Kenya National Chess Championship
The various social media circuits were buzzing with various comments;
It is an inferno out there – Collins Young.
I made one weak move and Milton smashed me – Mehul Gohil.
The juniors are on fire! – Musa Kwareba.
We are surviving by a whisker! – Fred Sagwe.
Struggling to keep up the new talent – Githinji Hinga.
From left – Lucy Wanjiru, Ann Kungu, George Mwangi and arbiter Ronald Bolo during the 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
Matthew Kangeni v Jackson Kamau
Ben Nguku v Austin Walela
Section of the playing hall of the 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
