The Kenya Olympiad Final Phase – Day 1
The Kenya Olympiad Final Phase kicked off today morning at the KCB Club, Ruaraka, Nairobi. The Open Section and Ladies Section each have eleven players. Only the top 5 in each section will get the coveted Olympiad slots.
Open Section
Mehul Gohil the 2019 Kenya National Champion got off to a good start when he defeated upcoming 14-year-old Robert Mcligeyo.
Robert Mcligeyo v Mehul Gohil
Mehul Gohil drops crucial half point
In the second round, Mehul Gohil dropped a crucial half-point when he was held to a draw by Brian Adorwa.
Mehul would have ended up with a win in this game had he played Rd2 rather than Rd1 in this position.
Brian Adorwa v Mehul Gohil
Robert McLigeyo
The star of the day had to be Roberto Mcligeyo when he held Kenya’s top rated player Joesph Methu to a hard-fought draw.
Robert McLigeyo v Joseph Methu
Other results
CM Ben Magana had a poor start. He had a bye in round 1 and then lost to teammate Ben Nguku in the afternoon.
Joseph Atwoli had a disastrous start as well. He lost to Joseph Methu in round 1 and to Martin Njoroge in round 2.
Ricky Sang had a good start in the event. He defeated Philip Singe in round one and Jackson Kamau in the second round.
Jackson Kamau, who won the Second Phase Olympiad Qualifiers, had a bumpy start. He drew his first game against Martin Njoroge and then lost to Ricky Sang.
KCB Chess Club
It is interesting to note that seven out of the eleven players taking part in the Kenya Olympiad Final Phase are from KCB Chess Club!
Ladies Section
WCM Lucy Wanjiru the 2019 Kenya National Ladies Champion had a decent day 1. She drew against Daphne Mwikali in round one and then defeated Glenda Madelta in round two.
WCM Lucy Wanjiru v Glenda Madelta
WCM Joyce Nyaruai drew in round one against WFM Sasha Mongeli and then defeated Cheryl Ngima in round 2.
Links
Results & Standings of Kenya Olympiad Final Phase.
