Ricky Sang clinches 64th Nairobi Chess Championship title

Ricky Sang clinches 64th Nairobi Chess Championship title

Ricky Sang, aka ‘Tricky Ricky‘, was in scintillating form to clinch the 64th Nairobi Chess Club Championship with a round to spare at the Braeburn School last weekend.

Sang obtained 5.5 points out of six rounds to go home with a cash prize of KES 25,000 (USD 200). On his way to victory, he defeated Chvoro Viacheslav, Felix Boera, the defending Champion James Panchol, and Ezekiel Matiko of Uganda in the first four rounds. On the last and final day, he dismissed Ian Mutugi in round five before sharing the spoils with Trevor Mulindi in the sixth and final round after a four-hour battle.

Ian Mutugi was the runners-up with 4.5 points out of six rounds, while Trevor Mulindi and James Panchol were in joint third with five points each. Ian Mutugi went home with KES 15,000 and a trophy, while Trevor Mulindi and James Panchol shared the KES 10,000 equally.

The Open Section had 18 participants competing over six rounds in three days for a prize fund of KES 55,000 (USD 500).

In round two, Felix Boera missed a nice tactical punch in his game against Ricky Sang. On the other hand, in round three, James Panchol overextended his luck in trying to win a drawn game against Ricky Sang and eventually lost.

U1600 Section

Zaddock Nyakundi won the U1600 Section with a dominating 5.5 points out to six rounds to go home with KES 15,000. Stanley Omondi was second with 5 points to earn KES 7,500, while Samuel Osongo was third with 4.5 points to go home with KES 5,000.

The U1600 Section saw 30 players competing over six rounds with a one-hour time control over two days.

U1400 Section

Jadon Simiyu, a ten-year-old Moi Kabarak Primary School student in Nakuru, stunned competitors in the U1400 Section when he won with a perfect score of 6 out of six rounds. He went home with a glittering trophy and a cash prize of KES 7,421, which Noel Fumey of Togo donated.

Chris Wanjiru was second with 5 points, while Paras Gudka was third with 4 points.
A total of 30 players participated in this section with six rounds with a one-hour time control over two days.

Photo credits – Arongoey Photography & Kim Bhari

Sponsors

Rodgers Adai, Peter Gilruth, Aslam Adam, Ben Nguku, Larry Khaduli, and Trevor Mulindi were some of the event’s sponsors.

Past winners

62nd & 63rd not held due to the Covid Pandemic.

61st Nairobi Chess Club Champion – James Panchol.

60th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – FM Haruna Nsubuga.

59th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Moses Andiwoh.

58th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Peter Gilruth.

57th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – CM Ben Magana.

56th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Lawrence Kagambi.

55th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – FM Patrick Kawuma.

54th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Peter Gilruth.

53rd Nairobi Chess Club Champion – CM Ben Magana.

19th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Saif Kanani.