2019 Kenya National Chess Championship Day 2 Report
The 2019 Kenya National Chess Championship kicked off to a late start on Wednesday morning. A total of just over 210 participants are taking part in this event.
The main section is the Open which has just over 120 players while the Ladies section has 36 players. Other sections include Cadets and Juniors.
Defending Champions
Dr Victor Ng’ani, who is the defending champion is back in action seeking a second title. Gloria Jumba, who was the 2018 Kenya National Ladies Champion, is not taking part.
Prize fund & car
The most significant talking point about this competition is the 1st prize which is a Mazda car. It has generated enormous interest in various social media platforms in Africa.
The event boasts of a massive prize fund of KES 1.8 million (USD 18,000), making it the most lucrative event in Africa.
Past Champions
CM Ben Magana, Mehul Gohil, Matthew Kanegeni and Lawrence Kagambi and Nathan Ateka are some of past champions taking part in this event.
Top contenders
Joseph Methu is one of the hot favourites to win this year’s event. He has already won 3 major titles this year and is currently the top-ranked player in Kenya with a rating of 2127. His 2019 victories include the Kenya Open, Nairobi Open and the Tanzania Open.
Ben Nguku and CM Ben Magana who both play for KCB Chess Club are the other contenders as well.
Mehul Gohil, is another contender who is ranked number 2 in Kenya at 2090. He dropped 2 crucial points when he was held to a draw by Martin Njoroge in round 2.
Dr Victor Ng’ani the defending champion is ranked 8th in Kenya. He also dropped 2 vital points when he drew against John Mukabi in round 4.
Coming out of retirement
Rodgers Adai, Nathan Ateka and Clement Miheso have come out of retirement to play in this event as well!
Rodgers Adai represented Kenya in the 1986 Dubai Olympiad. Nathan Ateka has also represented Kenya in 3 Olympiads. Clement Miheso, on the other hand, is the past Chairman of Kenya Chess Association and represented Kenya at 5 Olympiads.
Ladies section
Naiya Gosrani, caused a major upset in the Ladies section when she defeated top seed WCM Joyce Nyaruai in round 4.
Past winners
Open Section
1990 – Lawrence Kagambi.
1991, 1992 & 1993 event not held.
1994 – Lothar Nikolaiczuk.
1995 – Humphrey Andolo.
1996 – Philip Nicholas Odhiambo.
1997, 1998 & 1999 – Humphrey Andolo.
2000 – Event not held.
2001 – Kenneth Ajode Omolo.
2002 – Event not held.
2003 – Mathew Kanegeni.
2004 – Event not held.
2005 – Nathan Ateka.
2006 – CM Ben Magana.
2008, 2008, 2009,0 2010, 2011, 2012 events not held.
2013 – CM Ben Magana.
2014 – Mehul Gohil.
2015 – Kenneth Ajode Omolo.
2016 – Event not held.
2017 – CM Ben Magana.
2018 – Dr Victor Ng’ani.
Ladies Section
2014 – WFM Sanjana Deshpande.
2015 – Riya Shah.
2017 – WCM Joyce Nyaruai.
2018 – Gloria Jumba.
Links
Standings & Results of the 2019 Kenya National Championship.
Video report of Day 2 of the 2019 Kenya Chess Championship.
2019 Kenya National Chess Championship -Rules & Regulations.
Joseph Methu wins 2019 Kenya Open.
Video of Closing Ceremony 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
Day 4 – 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship
Day 3 – 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship
2018 Kenya National Chess Championship standings and results.
Day 2 – 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship
Day 1 – 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship
