Home Chess News Mehul Gohil clinches the 66th Nairobi Chess Club Championship title

Mehul Gohil clinches the 66th Nairobi Chess Club Championship title

August 11, 2024

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Mehul Gohil clinches the 66th Nairobi Chess Club Championship title

Mehul Gohil showed his distractors that he is back to his winning ways when he clinched the 66th Nairobi Chess Club Championship title with a score of 3.5 points out of 4 rounds. This victory represents the first time he has won the flagship Nairobi Chess Club event. He went home with KES 20,000 and a glittering trophy.

Mehul Gohil (left) receives his trophy from Kim Bhari the Organiser. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

The event was hosted at the Braeburn School, Gitanga Road, on 3rd & 4th of August 2024.

His victories came from defeating WCM Joyce Nyaruai, Ian Mutuge, the65th Nairobi Chess Champion James Panchol and drawing against Lenny Matiaga. James Panchol, Ian Mutuge, and Robert Mcligeyo tied for second place with three points each.

Mehul Gohil has written two articles on his games in this event from Round 1 & Round 2.

The Open Section saw 16 participants battling it out for top honours.

Mehul Gohil in action with his cowboy hat. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

U1800 Section

Noormohamed Shabbir Harunany took a break from his medical studies to travel from Nakuru to win the U1800 Section with a score of 3.5 points out of four rounds. He took home KES 10,000 and a trophy for his efforts. Noormohamed Shabbir Harunany is a fourth-year medical student from Egerton University in Nakuru,

Samuel Ngila, Sarthak Patnaik and Benard Wangombe tied for second place with three points each. However, Samuel Ngila took home the runners-up trophy because he had a superior tie-break.

With twelve participants, this section had a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds, the same as the Open Section.

Sheila (left) presents Noormohamed Shabbir Harunany with his trophy for winning the U1800 Section of the 66th Nairobi Chess Club Championship. — Sheila M (left) presents Noormohamed Shabbir Harunany with his trophy for winning the U1800 Section of the 66th Nairobi Chess Club Championship. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

U1600 Section

Clifford Ombiro won this section with a score of 3.5 points out of four rounds.

Michael Kiggs was the runner-up with 3 points to go home with his maiden silverware! Kerry Kiambi was third with 2.5 points.

With ten participants, this section had a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds.

IA Duke Michieka (left) presents Clifford Ombiro with his trophy for winning the U1600 Section. — IA Duke Michieka (left) presents Clifford Ombiro with his trophy for winning the U1600 Section of the 66th Nairobi Chess Club Championship. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

IA Duke Michieka presents Michael Kiggs the runners up trophy for the U1600 Section. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

U1500 Section

Tuli Gianni, an unrated player at the beginning of the event, surprised everyone by winning the section with five points out of six rounds. Elsie Muturi secured the runners-up prize with five points but a lower tie-break score.

Ivy Rachier of Nairobi Chess Club won her second trophy in her budding chess career by grabbing third place. Her first trophy was when she was runners-up in the recently held Meerabbas Memorial Chess Tournament.

The section had 36 participants and had a time control of 60 minutes.

Tuli Gianni (right) the winner of the U1500 receives his trophy from Sheila M. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

Sheila M (left) presents the runners-up trophy to Nairobi Chess Club member Ivy Rachier. — Sheila M (left) presents the runners-up trophy for the U1500 Section to Nairobi Chess Club member Ivy Rachier. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

Sponsors

James Kirimi, Rodgers Adai, Peter Gilruth, Trevor Mulindi, Bob Odhiambo, and Akollo Odundo sponsored this iconic event. Nisha Gohil from The Deal Box provided all participants with their tasty and nutritious nuts.

Braeburn School, once again, came out in full support of the event by providing the spacious hall on a gratis basis to the Nairobi Chess Club who organised the event.