2023 Kenya National Chess League kicks off
The 2023 Kenya National Chess League started thrillingly with the 2022 winners KCB Bank Chess Club, losing against their arch-rivals, Nairobi Chess Academy & Club.
Nairobi Chess Academy & Club played well to defeat KCB Bank Chess Club 3.5 to 1.5, with wins coming from Hillary Sagwa, Felix Boera and Wanjiru Kimani and a draw from Trevor Mulindi.
It is interesting to point out that KCB Bank Chess Club went through the 2019 and 2022 seasons without a single loss, so for many fans, this was an epic achievement by Nairobi Chess Academy & Club.
Nairobi Chess Club, who just missed relegation in the 2022 season, defeated the highly fancied Equity Bank Chess Club in a hotly contested draw in round one with a score line of 3-2.
Mehul Gohil, the 2022 Kenya National Champion and playing on board one for Nairobi Chess Club, held FM Haruna Nsubuga to a draw.
Board two saw the most dramatic match. James Panchol of Equity Bank Chess Club played well to obtain a superior position against Artem Gurevich but failed to convert despite having two queens against Artem’s sole queen. In time trouble James Panchol played the wrong queen to block a check and paid the ultimate price in this thrilling plus one-hundred-move game.
Peter Gilruth of Nairobi Chess Club dismissed Dr Victor Ng’ani on board three. On the other hand, Omar Abo Elyazeed, who was making his maiden appearance for Nairobi Chess Club, played well to hold Hugh Misiko to a draw.
On board 5, Jully Mutisya of Equity Bank Chess Club dismissed 2019 Kenya National Ladies Chess Champion WCM Lucy Wanjiru, who was making her maiden appearance for Nairobi Chess Club.
Nairobi Chess Club, in other rounds, defeated Kenyatta University but dropped valuable points when Black Knights and Lighthouse Chess Club (Alpha) held them to a draw.
Interesting points about the 2023 Kenya National Chess League
This 2023 Kenya National Chess League has seventeen teams in the Premier League, the same as the Super League.
Other exciting aspects of the 2023 Kenya National League include the following;
Nairobi Chess Club has their primary team in the Premier Division, with two new development teams in the Super Division.
Mavens Chess Club has four teams in the Super Division, while Lighthouse Chess Club has one team in the Premier Division and two in the Super Division.
Game corner
The first game is the thrilling encounter between James Panchol (Equity Bank Chess Club) against Artem Gurevich of Nairobi Chess Club.
Artem Gurevich v James Panchol
The second game is Hillary Sagwa of Nairobi Chess Academy & Club defeating veteran CM Ben Magana of KCB Bank Chess Club.
Hillary Sagwa v CM Ben Magana
The third game shows one of Kenya’s top junior lady player nine year old Winnie Kaburo of Mavens Chess Club (Warriors) defeated Clifford Ombiro of USIU. The future of Kenyan chess is assured by such young stars!
Clifford Ombiro v Winnier Kaburo Muchoki
Links
2023 Kenya National Chess League on chess-results.com.
KCB Bank Chess Club wins 2022 Kenya Premier League.
2022 Kenya National Chess League – Premier League on chess-results.com.
2022 Kenya National League commences.
2020 Kenya National Chess League starts.
KCB Chess Club wins 2019 Kenya National League.
Equity Bank Chess Club win 2018 Kenya National Chess League.
2017 African Chess Club Championship – Closing Ceremony.
Chess Book Shop
Article by Kenya Chess Masala.
