Kenya Olympiad Team selected
The Kenya Olympiad Team selection process has now ended. The gruelling 3 phase process saw the top 5 players in the Final Phase make it to the team in both the Open and Ladies section.
An interesting aspect about the Open section is that all the players are from KCB Chess Club and include the following;
Ben Nguku
Joseph Methu
CM Ben Magana
Jackson Kamau
Ricky Sang
The Ladies Section has
WCM Joyce Nyaruai – KCB Chess
WCM Lucy Wanjiru – Deadly Bishops
WFM Sasha Mongeli – TUK
Julie Mutisya – Nakuru Chess Club
Glenda Madelta – Nairobi Chess Club
The last round saw Martin Njoroge paired against Ricky Sang in a do or die match. Martin Njoroge only needed a draw while Ricky Sang had to win to get remaining 5th slot in the team. Ricky Sang relied on his experience to defeat Martin Njoroge and crush his dreams for a maiden Olympiad appearance.
Martin Njoroge v Ricky Sang
Mehul Gohil crashes out
Mehul Gohil the 2019 Kenya National Champion, on the other hand, was another casualty. He failed in his attempt to get into the team despite a good start. At the end of the first weekend, Mehul Gohil was on 3.5 points out of 6 rounds. Two successive defeats against Joseph Methu and Ricky Sang was enough to dash his hopes.
Mehul Gohil v Joseph Methu
Mehul then drew against Philip Singe before losing the last two games to Ben Nguku and Jackson Kamau.
Mehul Gohil v Ricky Sang
Olympiad experience
CM Ben Magana is the most experienced player in the squad with six Olympiad appearances (2000, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2018).
The other members in the team have each one appearance under their belt. Ricky Sang (2018), Joseph Methu (2018), Jackson Kamau (2014) and Ben Nguku (2004).
Another interesting aspect is that the five players in the Kenya Olympiad Team are amongst the top eleven players in Kenya. The average rating is 2029 while the 2018 Batumi Olympiad team had an average rating of 1988.
Kenya ended in position 143 out of 185 teams in the 2018 Olympiad.
Ladies Section
In the Ladies there were no surprises in the Kenya Olympiad Team. WCM Joyce Nyaruai, WCM Lucy Wanjiru and WFM Sasha Mongeli obtained the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
Julie Mutisya and Glenda Madelta were 4th and 5th to obtain their maiden Olympiad appearances.
Daphne Mwikali who played in the 2018 Olympiad failed to make it when she only managed 7th position.
Gloria Jumba the 2018 Kenya National Champion who was in the 2018 Olympiad team did not participate.
Links
Links
Report on Day 1 of the Olympiad Finals.
Report on Day 2 of the Olympiad Finals.
Games from the Open Section of the Olympiad Finals.
Games from the Ladies Section of the Olympiad Finals.
Results & Standings of Kenya Olympiad Final Phase.
Final Phase Qualifiers Rules & Regulations.
