Home Chess News James Panchol wins 2022 Eastlands International Open

James Panchol wins 2022 Eastlands International Open

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James Panchol wins 2022 Eastlands International Open

James Panchol won the 2022 Eastlands International Chess Championship with a perfect 6 points from 6 rounds to go home with KES 20,000 (USD 190).

Dr Victor Ng’ani was second with 5.5 points. His winnings amounted to KES 10,000 (USD 90).

The event ran from 12th to 13th March at the Jimlizer Hotel the saw 84 players taking part in the event. The Open Section had 60 players, while the Junior Section had 24 participants.

Hawi Kaloki was the winner of the Junior Section with 6 points out of six rounds.  Elly Asige was second with 5 points.

The event had an impressive prize fund of KES 100,000 thanks to a generous sponsorship deal from The Chess Kenya Federation.

James Panchol seen here in action during the 11th Capablanca Cup at the Goan Gymkhana Club.  Photo credit Kim Bhari.
James Panchol seen here in action during the 11th Capablanca Cup at the Goan Gymkhana Club. Photo credit Kim Bhari.
James Panchol v Dennis Kalati

View of the playing hall.  Photo credit Eastlands Chess Club.
View of the playing hall. Photo credit Eastlands Chess Club.
Dr Victor Ng’ani v Joseph Methu

View of the playing hall.  Photo credit Eastlands Chess Club.
View of the playing hall. Photo credit Eastlands Chess Club.
Poster of the event.
Poster of the event.

Brief history of Eastlands Chess Club

Eastlands Chess Club has been in existence since around the1980s. Several top players like Larry Kagambi, Joseph Kanyingi, and FM Steve Ouma started their careers at the club. The club was a regular participant in the Kenya National League.

Newspaper cutting from the late 1980s about Eastlands Chess Club.
Newspaper cutting from the late 1980s about Eastlands Chess Club.

Geoffrey Mulaga was for a long time the Chairman of the club before retiring from active chess.

Long serving and ex Chairman of Eastlands Chess Club Geoffrey Mulaga (left) takes on Dolf Beltz in the 2010 Olympiad Qualifiers held at Kenya Polytehnic on 10th May 2009 while FM Steve Ouma looks on. Photo credit Kim Bhari.
Long serving and ex Chairman of Eastlands Chess Club Geoffrey Mulaga (left) takes on Dolf Beltz in the 2010 Olympiad Qualifiers held at Kenya Polytehnic on 10th May 2009 while FM Steve Ouma looks on. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

The club meets at the Jericho at Famrock Center daily from 5 pm on weekdays and from 2 pm on weekends.  Several kids have joined their popular training program.

Plans are underway to organise the Nairobi Eastlands Open Junior Tournament targeting school-going children.

Edwin Odhiambo is the current Chairman of Eastlands Chess Club, while Christine Karoki is the Secretary, Oscar Mutune the Treasurer. Shadrack Odour is the Captain of the club.

Links

2022 Eastlands International Chess Championship on chess-results.com

Dominic Carlos wins 2021 Eastlands Open.

CM Ben Magana wins 2015 Eastlands Open.