Kenya National Chess Championship – Final Report
The 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship came to a dramatic finale last Sunday.
The final round 9 saw some intense and and swashbuckling chess. The top 3 players at the start of the round all had a chance to grab the title which meant that each player had to fight for a win. Matthew Kanegeni was perched at the top with 7 points out of 8 rounds. Dr Victor Ng’ani and Ben Nguku were in joint second place with 6.5 points each.
Mathew Kanegeni had the White pieces and faced the formidable Joseph Methu. By move 35 it was clear that Black had a better position and by move 39 it was over. Matthew Kanegeni ended with only 7 points which dashed his hopes of being declared National Champion.
Dr Victor Ng’ani then dispatched off Philip Singe to give him 7.5 points. Ben Nguku also defeated Githinji Hinga to end up with 7.5 points.
Dr Victor Ng’ani was declared winner as he had a higher tie break. He went home with a cash prize of KES 75,000 and a glittering trophy.
Gloria Jumba had won the Ladies Section a day earlier. She went home with KES 50,000 and a glittering trophy as well. She was undefeated and had 8.5 points out of 9 rounds.
Closing Ceremony
Gordon Oluoch who the the CEO of Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) was the Chief Guest in a colourful closing ceremony. He confirmed the KAS’s and the Ministry of Sports, Culture & Art’s support for chess. He further lauded Chess Kenya for their efforts to spread the game to other counties.
Brian Kidula the exuberant CEO of Terrian Chess Academy was the Master of Ceremonies & Joy Wangari led the prayer before the ceremony.
Claire Ikalur who is the PR Manager of Parklands Sports Club also addressed the closing ceremony as well and pledged to support Chess Kenya in future events.
Clement Miheso who is a former Chairman of Chess Kenya (then called Kenya Chess Association) also gave a speech full of anecdotes. Miheso’s pet name is ‘Champ‘ and he explained how this name came to be associated with him.
In the late 1970’s some students had organised a ‘Kenya National Chess Championship’ which attracted about 10 players. Clement Miheso who was a student at the University of Nairobi emerged winner and hence the pet name “Champ”!
Matthew Kanegeni v Joseph Methu
Philip Singe v Dr. Victor Ng’ani
Ben Nguku v Githinji Hinga
List of Prize Winners
OPEN SECTION WINNERS
Joint 1st & 2nd place
Dr Victor Ng’ani – 7½ points KES 75,000 & Trophy.
Ben Nguku – KCB Chess Club 7½ points KES 75,000.
Joint 3rd to 6th place
Matthew Kanegeni – MAT Chess Academy 7 points KES 18,000.
Jackson Ndegwa – KCB Chess Club 7 points KES 18,000.
Joseph Methu – KCB Chess Club 7 points KES 18,000.
Joseph Atwoli – Stima Chess Club 7 points KES 18,000.
Joint 7th to 9th place
CM Ben Magana – KCB Chess Club 6½ points KES 6,660.
Ricky Sang – KCB Chess Club 6½ points KES 6,660.
CM John Mukabi – Equity Chess Club 6½ points KES 6,660.
Joint 10th place
Maigua Joseph Ngooro – Bank Of Africa (6 points) KES 385.
Hinga Githinji – Deadly Bishops (6 points) KES 385.
Singe Philip Mbawala – KCB Chess Club (6 points) KES 385.
Mwangi George – Stima Chess Club (6 points) KES 385.
Andiwoh Moses – Equity Chess Club (6 points) KES 385.
Kimani Kimingi – Anchor Chess Club (6 points) KES 385.
Simiyu Amos – (6 points) KES 385.
Gisore Daniel – Eastlands Chess Club (6 points) KES 385.
Gohil Mehul – KCB Chess Club (6 points) KES 385.
Chege Kairu – (6 points) KES 385.
Mukoko Isaac – Deadly Bishops (6 points) KES 385.
Sagwa Hillary – Black Knights Chess Club (6 points) KES 385.
Amatalo Moses Abasa – Stima Chess Club (6 points) KES 385.
LADIES SECTION WINNERS
1. Jumba Gloria – KCB Chess Club (8½ points) KES 50,000 & Trophy.
2. WCM Joyce Nyaruai – Technical University of Kenya (7 points) KES 25,000.
3. Awinja Easter Judith – Lighthouse Chess Club (6½ points) KES 15,000.
Joint 4th & 5th place
Obondo Cynthia Awino – Technical University of Kenya (6 points) KES 8,500.
Abur Linda Amollo – (6 points) KES 8,500.
Joint 6th place
Mwikali Daphne – Equity Chess Club (5½ points) KES 5,150.
Gosrani Naiya – Tritonite Stars (5½ points) KES 5,150.
WFM Mongeli Sasha – Technical University of Kenya (5½ points) KES 5,150.
Berita Ratemo – Technical University of Kenya (5½ points) KES 5,150.
Francisca Kagwiria – Kings Club (5½ points) KES 5,150.
Thuo Agnes Gathoni – Mombasa Chess Club (5½ points) KES 5,150.
BEST UNDER 1600 – Waliuba Michael (5.5 points) KES 5,000 & Trophy.
BEST UNDER 1400 – Young Lourdes (5 points) KES 5,000 & Trophy.
TOP JUNIOR BOY – John Milton Kihara (5.5 points) Jomo Kenyatta University of Science & Technology KES 5,000 & Trophy.
TOP JUNIOR GIRL – Obondo Cynthia Awino (6 points) KES 5,000 & Trophy
Links
You can find links to the other stories about this event.
Day 4 – Kenya National Chess Championship
Day 3 – Kenya National Chess Championship
Standings & Results of the 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
Day 2 – Kenya National Chess Championship
Day 1 – Kenya National Chess Championship
Kenya National Chess Championship details
