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University of Eldoret Chess Tournament

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University of Eldoret Chess Tournament

The University of Eldoret hosted their first chess event of the year 2019.

Poster.
Poster.

The 15-minute Rapid event saw 25 players battle it out over 8 rounds.

Evanson Kihara, a student of Moi University, was the winner with 6.5 points out of 8 rounds.

Evanson Kihara (right) receives his prize for winning the tournament.  Photo credit Instagram - hashtagphotographykenya.
Evanson Kihara (right) receives his prize for winning the tournament. Photo credit Instagram – hashtagphotographykenya.

The event was organised to give players residing in Eldoret a chance to play some competitive chess.

 Photo from the playing hall.  Photo credit Instagram - hashtagphotographykenya.
Photo from the playing hall. Photo credit Instagram – hashtagphotographykenya.

The organisers also put their ingenuity to use by having mobile phones used as chess clocks!

 Photo from the playing hall.  Photo credit Instagram - hashtagphotographykenya.
Photo from the playing hall.. Photo credit Instagram – hashtagphotographykenya.

What was even more interesting was the fact that the organisers hired a professional photographer for this event.  Having a professional photographer adds much glamour to the event in terms of publicity.

It is important to note that one of the photos from the event started to trend on Twitter with the hastag #youknowhelovesyouwhen on Valentine’s Day.

This was the photo that was trending on Twitter – Photo credit Instagram – hashtagphotographykenya.
Photo from the playing hall. Photo credit Instagram - hashtagphotographykenya.
Photo from the playing hall. Photo credit Instagram – hashtagphotographykenya.

Interesting facts about Eldoret

Eldoret is a principal city in western Kenya and the fifth largest in the country.

It is the capital of Uasin Gishu County and has a population of about 250,000 people.

Some Boer families from South Africa had settled in and around Eldoret in the 1900s.

Ernest Kruger is one of the famous Boer settlers who owned a 5000-acre piece of a farm called Kruger Farm.

Eldoret, with an acreage of 2,770 was officially proclaimed a township on 14th November 1912.

Mr Wolston-Beard was elected the first Mayor of Eldoret in November 1959.

Eldoret was one of the first towns in Kenya to elect an African Mayor.

Mr A. N. Oloo who took office on 2nd September 1963 was the first African Mayor.  Oloo Street in Eldoret is named after him.

The name Eldoret comes from the Masaai word  ‘Eldare‘ meaning ‘stony river‘ because of the nearby Sosiani River.

Percy Girouard, the Governor at the time suggested that that the letter T be added to make it Eldaret.  When the Kenya Gazette was however published, it was spelt as Eldoret.

Links

Instagram – hashtagphotographykenya.

Standings & Results.

University of Eldoret Chess Tournament.

Eldoret Chess Championship 2012.