KCB Chess Club off to the World Rapid Chess Championship

August 26, 2023

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KCB Chess Club off to the World Rapid Chess Championship

KCB Chess Club left Nairobi last night to represent East Africa in the inaugural World Rapid Team Championship. This talented squad will compete for top honours during the 12-round Swiss tournament in Düsseldorf, Germany. The event runs from 26th to 28th August 2023.

The team members include CM Ben Nguku, CM Ben Magana, Joseph Methu, Martin Njoroge, Robert Mcligeyo and WCM Joyce Nyaruai.

Bernard Okello, KCB’s Chess Club Patron, shared his excitement and belief in the team’s abilities. He encouraged them to carry their confidence as they showcase their talents on the international stage.

The President of Chess Kenya, Bernard Wanjala, expressed pride in the KCB Chess Club’s impressive record of winning the Kenya National League many times in the past decade. He further highlighted how the KCB Chess Club has nurtured the country’s chess talents.

Rosalind Gichuru, KCB Group’s Director of Marketing & Communications, acknowledged the team’s outstanding achievements in winning the Kenya National League title three times consecutively and aiming for a fourth.

The official flag-off was conducted by Rosalind Gichuru, along with Bernard Okello, Isaac Babu (KCB Chess Club Manager), and the President of Chess Kenya, Bernard Wanjala.

It is not the first trip for the KCB Chess Club as they participated in the 2017 African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt, in August 2017.

Officials and team members of the KCB Chess Club. Photo credit Chess Kenya. — Officials and team members of the KCB Chess Club. Photo credit Chess Kenya

World Rapid Chess Championship

The World Rapid Chess Championship has a total of 34 teams taking part. The exciting teams in this event include the Africa Team and the FIDE Management Board, with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich in action!

WR Group Logistics GmbH sponsors the FIDE-organised event and boasts of a Euro 250,000 prize fund.