Mehul Gohil crowned Sultan of Mombasa Open
Mehul Gohil (aka ‘Gorilla’) was in devastating form when he clinched the 2019 Mombasa Open held during the long ‘Mashujaa’ weekend. He scored a perfect 6 points out of 6 games to emerge the winner from a field of 62 players in the Open Section.
Mehul Gohil went home with the top prize of KES 30,000 (USD 300). The total cash prize fund for the event was an impressive KES 118,000 (USD 1,200).
Matthew Kanegeni & FM Steve Ouma ended up in joint 2nd place with 5 points each. They equally shared a cash prize of KES 30,000 (USD 300).
Emmanuel Mwaisumbe of Tanzania was the only foreign player who took part.
The past decade has seen Ugandan players dominate this fabulous coastal event. However, this year’s edition clashed with the final round of the Uganda National League which took place the same weekend. It meant that the Ugandan players were unable to make it for the Mombasa Open.
Full list of prize winners
Winner
Mehul Gohil – 6 points Nairobi Chess Club KES 30,000.
2nd Place
1. Matthew Kanegeni – 5 points (Equity Chess Club) KES 15,000.
2. FM Stephen Ouma – 5 points (Equity Chess Club) KES 15,000.
4th Place
1. Okeyo Austin Steve (Kisumu) KES 2,000.
2. Emmanuel Mwaisumbe (Tanzania) KES 2,000.
3. Victor Ngani (Equity Chess Club) KES 2,000.
4. Hillary Sagwa (Black Knights) KES 2,000.
5. Brain Adorwa (Equity Chess Club) KES 2,000.
Best Mombasa Club Chess Player
1. Andrew Mumia – KES5,000.
Best U1800
1. Young Collins – 4.5 points (Bank of Africa) KES 5,000.
Best U1600
1. Kenneth Githua – 4 points (Mombasa Chess Club) KES 1,650.
2. Owen Musyoki (Pwani University) KES 1,650.
3. Harrison Nyaga (Technical University of Mombasa) KES 1,650.
Ladies
Winner
1. Daphne Mwikali 4 points KES 15,000.
2nd Place
1. WCM Lucy Wanjiru 3.5 points KES 8,000.
2. Cheryl Ngima KES 8,000.
Best Club
Equity Chess Club.
Best University
Technical University of Mombasa (17 points).
Best University Player
Harrison Nyaga (Technical University of Mombasa).
Junior Section & U10 Section
Rahul Doshi, on the other hand, was the winner of the Junior Section which had 37 players. He was undefeated and ended up with 5.5 points out of 6 rounds.
Cyprian Mbaabu won the U10 Section which had 29 players. He scored a perfect 6 points out of 6 games.
Junior Section & U10 Section prize winners
Under 8 Boys
1. Rian Shah – Mombasa Chess Academy.
2. Cruz Maina – KBA School.
3. Khyle Shah – Tritonites Stars.
Under 8 Girls
1. Tamara Imali – KBA School.
2. Tiana Shah – Mombasa Chess Academy.
Under 10 Boys
1. Cyprian Mbaabu – KBA School.
2. Shubh Jaideep Shah – Mombasa Chess Academy.
3. Joshua Mumo – KBA School.
Under 10 Girls
1. Agnes Wanjiru – KBA School.
2. Kimberly Mugure – KBA School.
3. Jeanette Karumba – KBA School.
Under 12 Boys
1. Moses Bejon – Kivokoni School.
2. Jamie Kanango – Lighthouse Chess Club.
3. Dhruv Shah – Mombasa Chess Academy.
Under 12 Girls
1. Estherlynn Njeri – KBA School.
2. Salma Zighe – KBA School.
3. Nelly Wairimu – KBA School.
Under 18 Boys
1. Rahul Doshi – Mombasa Chess Academy.
2. Noormohamed S Harunany – Mombasa Chess Academy.
3. Leon Malombe – Lighthouse Chess Club.
Under 18 Girls
1. Esther Wangari – KBA School.
2. Nuriya Salim – Mombasa Chess Academy.
Organiser & sponsors of the event
Mombasa Chess Club were the organisers of the event.
Chess Kenya was the main sponsor of the event. Nathan Ateka and Andrew Mumia were the other co-sponsors.
Parents of Shubh J Shah and Ruhan Shah donated trophies and pens.
Past winners
2018 – CM Ben Magana (Kenya).
2017 – IM Elijah Emojong (Uganda).
2016 – IM Elijah Emojong (Uganda).
2015 – IM Arthur Ssegwanyi (Uganda).
2014 – Mathias Ssonko (Uganda).
2013 – FM Haruna Nsubuga (Uganda).
2012 – LGM Brian Kidula (Kenya).
2011 – FM Harold Wanyama (Uganda).
2010 – FM Harold Wanyama (Uganda).
