Home Chess News 2021 World Amateur Chess Championship – Day 1

2021 World Amateur Chess Championship – Day 1

October 22, 2021

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2021 World Amateur Chess Championship – Day 1

Report by John Mukabi & Kim Bhari

Team Kenya got off to a good start at the 2021 World Amateur Chess Championship in Rhodes, Greece, with six points out of eleven games.

Part of Team Kenya to the 2021 World Amateur Chess Championship. From left Sadam Ali, Joseph Methu, Martin Njoroge, Jackson Kamau, Ronald Bolo and FM Steve Ouma.

There was a for win Mehul Gohil in the most challenging U2300 Section. In addition, WCM Joyce Ndirangu, WCM Lucy Wanjiru and Madelta Glenda, respectively, won their games in the Women U1700 Section.

Other results

There were four draws in round one. Joseph Methu in the U2300 Section. WFM Sasha Mongeli, Martin Njoroge and Philip “Rook” Singe in the U2000 Section.

Part of the team to the 2021 World Amateur Chess Championship. From left Philip Singe, Martin Njoroge, Brian Kidual, Mehul Gohil and Joseph Methu.

Draws for Joseph Methu, Martin Njoroge, Philip Singe and loss for Jackson Ndegwa mean that their FIDE ratings will plunge as their opponents had lower ratings.

Another interesting result in the U2300 Section was Russian WFM Alexandra Zherebtsova (2207) against our veteran CM Ben Magana, blundering in the time scramble to lose the point.

WFM Alexandra Zherebtsova v CM Ben Magana

Jackson Kamau poses for a photo before his game in the 2021 World Amateur Chess Championship.

Round 2

Round 2 continues today from 3 pm, both Greek and East African times that are the same.

The event runs from 16th to 26th October 2021.

Team Preparation

Chess Kenya faced two herculean tasks for this event.

They first had to organise the funding from the Ministry of Sports for this trip. Once this was in place, they had to overcome the ban on Kenyans travelling to Greece due to the Covid pandemic!

It took great skill and soft diplomacy from officials of Chess Kenya to get around this restriction, including meeting with the Embassy staff.

It is interesting to note that the Embassy of Greece has been a supporter of Kenyan chess in the past.

Photo from the closing ceremony of the 3rd Kenya National Chess Championship held at YMCA, Nairobi on 29th August 1993. His Excellency Mr Katsarias the Greek Ambassador to Kenya (with stripped tie) and his wife Mrs Katsarias (sitting in front with green dress). Chairman of Kenya Chess Association Mr Francis Rodrigues (far left). Others Mehul Gohil in middle (with blue shirt), Humphrey Andolo sitting far right and Kim Bhari in the extreme right.

His Excellency Mr Katsarias the Greek Ambassador to Kenya presents the prize to the 3rd Kenya National Champion Mr Humphrey Andolo (left) while Francis Rodrigues and Kim Bhari look on.

It is interesting to note that Kenya has sent the 4th largest team to this particular event. Greece has 42 players, Kuwait has 15 players, Saudi Arabia has 12, and Kenya has 11 players.

Egypt, Libya, and Nigeria are the only federations from Africa taking part in this event.

This is Kenya’s maiden appearance at the World Amateur Championship.

Team Selection

OPEN SECTION

Joseph Methu
Jackson Kamau
Martin Njoroge
Singe Philip
Benjamin Magana
Mehul Gohil (2019 Kenya National Champion)
Sadam Ali (2019 Kenya National champ PLWD)

Larry Kagambi – Coach
Steve Ouma – Assistant Coach
Harrison Nyaga – Coach and Assistant to Sadam Ali.

LADIES SECTION

WFM Lucy Wanjiru
WCM Joyce Nyaruai
WCM Sasha Mongeli
Madelta Glenda

TECHNICAL BENCH

Brian Kidula – Coach
Ronald Bolo – Assistant Coach

Terence Chazima – HOD
Gilbert Wandera – Official

Facts about Rhodes

Rhodes is a Greek island, belonging to the Dodecanese island group.

Rhodes-City in the north and Lindos in the south-east are the largest cities. About 120,000 people live on Rhodes.

First settlement were on Rhodes at the 16th century before Christ. Rhodes was an important fort for the Johannit Knights in their war against the Turkish invasion. In 1644 the Turkish took over Rhodes.

Castle of Knights' Templar in Rhodos city. — Castle of Knights’ Templar in Rhodos city.

Italy won the Dodecanese islands from Turkey in 1912. During World War II the German took them over and then followed by the British in 1945. Since 1946 the Dodecanese islands belong to Greece.