Home Chess News Equity Bank Chess Club wins 2023 Kenya National League

Equity Bank Chess Club wins 2023 Kenya National League

November 22, 2023

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Equity Bank Chess Club wins 2023 Kenya National League

Equity Bank regained the 2023 Kenya National Chess Premier League after edging out defending champions KCB Bank 3.5-1.5 in a highly anticipated match in the final round.

Hugh Misiko delivered the first win for Equity Bank after a tactical blunder by KCB’s Jackson Kamau. The second win for Equity Bank came when Julie Mutisia defeated National Champion WCM Joyce Nyaruai.

Joseph Methu, on the other hand, managed a solitary win for KCB when he defeated Dr Victor Ng’ani. The match on board one between FM Haruna Nsubuga (Equity) and FM Harold Wanyama (KCB) ended in a draw.

On board two, FM Patrick Kawuma of Equity Bank, defeated 2023 Kisumu Open Champion CM Ben Magana to ensure a 3.5-1.5 victory over KCB Bank.

FM Haruna Nsubuga the board 1 player for Equity Bank. Photo credit Photo credits – Allan Rongoey.

Equity Bank scored 43 points out of a total of 48 points and was the winner of the 2017 and 2018 editions but missed the 2022 edition when they failed to raise a team. Equity Bank’s only loss was to Nairobi Chess Club, who ended up eventually in 4th position, missing a podium finish.

The reigning League Champion, KCB Bank, took second place with 42 points.

Nairobi Chess Academy & Club took third place with 40 points.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology the 2022 bronze medal winners in the 2022 edition found the going tough and ended up in 6th place with 26 points. They however won the award for being the top university in the Premier League.

KCB Bank won both the 2019 and 2022 editions. The 2020 edition was aborted due to the Covid pandemic, while the 2021 edition did not occur due to government restrictions.

This year’s Premier Division saw 17 teams participating, while the Super Division had the same number.

Super Division

Mavens Tacticians won the Super Division title with an impressive 46 points out of 48 points. Victoria Chess Club from Kisumu was second with 41 points. Two matches are left to complete the league, meaning that Strathmore University and the University of Nairobi are battling for third place.