Kenya National Youth Chess Championship 2019
KNYCC ended last Monday after grueling three days which saw new national champions declared after seven rounds.
The tournament was organised by Chess Kenya in conjunction with Kenya Academy of Sports. The two partners have been working together to spread chess in schools and distribution of chess boards through county sports offices.
WCM Janvi Nipul Shah (Girls U10), Sarah Mumanyi (Girls U14 Girls), Timothy Mwabu (Boys U16) and Dorcus Wanjala (Girls U18) successfully retained their title they won last year.
Former champions Laurecia Atiagaga (Girls U12), Aguda Lwanga (Boys U14), Tracy Audrey (Girls U16) and Dev Shah (Boys U18) sprang back to reclaim the national titles they had lost last year.
U16 Section
The U16 category was the toughest for both girls and boys. This category featured some of the top juniors who have been mauling senior players without mercy.
Jeff Gichuki and Timothy Mwabu were two of the top players in the Boys U16 category. The two however did not meet but each finished with maximum 7 points but Timothy had a better tie break.
Mercy Ingado who was the defending champion and Krishi Shah were top contenders in the Girls U16. The clash between the two in round 6 ended in a draw that dashed their hopes of winning the title. In the end Audrey Tracy won the title with an impressive 7/7 score.
Best schools
St Josephs High School displaced Alliance Boys High School to emerge the winner of 2019 edition with 93 points. Alliance School finished second followed closed by St Patrick’s High School.
Singore Girls retained its position as the best girls school after garnering a whopping 79 points. New comers St Monicah Girls High School finished second and Alliance Girls third.
Thika Road Christian School amassed 93 points to beat defending Champions St Peter’s Juja as overall best primary school. St Peter’s Juja won the last year edition and represented Kenya at the Belaya Ladya chess event in Russia.
Logos Christian School emerged the best boys primary school and Thika Road Christian School as best girls primary school.
Closing ceremony
The closing ceremony was presided over by Nyeri County Assembly Deputy speaker Hon. Samuel Kariuki and area MCA Hon. Watson Weru.
Winners
The summary of the winners is as follows:
Under 8 Girls
1. Fantalis Nduta 7.0 points The Light House Academy Embu.
2. Viha Shah 6.0 points Waridi Chess Ventures.
3. Ella Kanyi 6.0 points Toto Care Academy.
Under 8 Boys
1. Abel Taji 6.0 points Seedling Junior School.
2. Ryan Muhindi Mwai 6.0 points Seedling Junior School.
3. Khyle Shah 6.0 points Oshwal Academy Nairobi.
Under 10 Girls
1. WCM Janvi Nipul Shah: 7.0 points Oshwal Academy Nairobi.
2. WCM Janki Nipul Shah 6.5 points Oshwal Academy Nairobi.
3. Ashley Wanjugu 6.0 points Juja St Peters.
Under 10 boys
1. Cyprian Mbaabu 7.0 points The KBA School.
2. Darsh Rakesh Shah 6.5 points Braeburn Imani School.
3. Tendai Musoke 6.5 points Logos Christian School.
Under 12 Girls
1. Laurecia Atiagaga 7.0 points Immaculate Heart Juniorate.
2. Valentine Njeri 6.0 points Moi Educational Centre.
3. WCM Devashri Sanjay 6.0 points Oshwal Academy Nairobi.
Under 12 Boys
1. Sanjay Ramesh 6.5 points Oshwal Academy Nairobi.
2. Dan Willies Gachai 6.5 points Light house Chess Club.
3. Samuel Wanjala 6.5 points Graceway Academy.
Under 14 Girls
1. Sarah Momanyi 7.0 points SOM Chess Academy.
2. Rose Wakiuri 6.5 points Alliance Girls High School.
3. Lucy Nyaboke 6.0 SOM Chess Academy.
Under 14 Boys
1. CM Aguda Lwanga 7.0 points NACHA.
2. Viraj Bhaveshu Shah 6.5 points Peponi School.
3. Robert Mc Ligeyo 6.5 points Logos Christian School.
Under 16 Girls
1. Tracy Audrey 7.0 points Kaimosi Girls High School.
2. Mercy Ingado 6.5 points Light House Chess Club.
3. Annet Keziah 6.0 points Kaimosi Girls High School.
Under 16 Boys
1. Timothy Mwabu 7.0 points Alliance High School.
2. Jeff Gichuki 7.0 points Light House Chess Club.
3. Deng Chol: 6.0 points St Joseph Boys High School.
Under 18 Girls
1. Dorcus Wanjala 6.0 points Loreto Convent Matunda.
2. Lily Robi 6.0 points State House Girls High School.
3. Sylvia Wahito 6.0 points unattached.
Under 18 Boys
1. Dev Bijesh Shah 7.0 points Hillcrest International School.
2. Samuel Kinyua 6.5 points Strathmore School.
3. Andrew Kiongo 6.5 points Alliance High School.
Additional Category Boys Section
1. Rishaan Rupani 7.0 points Agakhan Junior Academy.
2. Taran Mougdalia 6.0 points Arya Vedic School.
3. Rishit Ravat 6.0 points Jalaram Academy.
Additional Category Girls Section
1. Pranjal Parikh 7.0 Nairobi Chess Club.
2. Suhana Patel 6.5 points Banda School
3. WFM Krishi Shah 6.5 points Premier Academy
Best primary school boys
1. Logos Chritian school – 82 points.
2. Kahawa Baptism Academy – 61 points.
3. Nairobi Chess Academy – 61 points.
Best Primary school Girls
1. Thika Road Christian School -93 points.
2. St Peters Juja – 83 points.
3. Oshwal Academy – 68 points.
Overall best Primary School
1. Thika Road Christian School – 129 points.
2. St Peters Juja -108 points.
3. Oshwal Academy -103 points.
Best Boys Secondary school
1. St. Josephs Boys High School -93 points.
2. Alliance High School – 84 points.
3. St. Patricks High School – 61 points.
Best Girls Secondary School
1. Singore Girls High School – 79 points.
2. St. Monicah Girls High School – 52 points.
3. Alliance Girls – 43 points.