Gorilla Fart #9 – Round 9 Review of the Budapest Olympiad

Report by – Mehul Gohil aka ‘Gorilla’

Team Kenya delivered the must win vs Senegal. But it was close.

On Board 1, Martin was outplayed in the opening and middlegame. When his opponent gifted him a great position by playing the nonsense 22. Nf5? Martin was clinical after receiving the gift.

On Board 4, Likoko’s opponent mishandled the Bishop vs Knight endgame which was probably drawn (looked like a fortress for black to me). But at the end of the day it is the result which matters, and Kenya bagged the must win.

Congrats to McLigeyo, Likoko and Mutuge who have bagged the CM titles (50% score after 7 and 8 games). In general they have done a satisfactory job on Boards 3-5 so far. Where their main KPI was generating the points. They have done so.

Team Kenya currently sits at position 123. They face Nicaragua today. A stronger team. If Team Kenya is looking to perform better than the usual 120-140 position finish that Kenyan teams have been producing they need to at least draw vs Nicaragua today and then go for the win in the final round.

So far Team Kenya has failed to beat a higher rated team then themselves. In last Olympiad they managed to do so. A loss today and a win in the final round will simply mean no progress at the Olympiads for Team Kenya. So there is all to fight for.

Kenya in position 13 in Category D after round 9. The traffic jam is still there. If Team Kenya wins both today and tomorrow, they most definitely crash into the Category D podium.

Team Kenya from left Robert Mcligeyo, Martin Njoroge, Ian Mutuge and Matthew Kanegeni. Photo credit Matthew Kanegeni of MAT Chess.

Game Corner

About Mehul Gohil

Mehul Gohil is the a three times Kenya National Chess Champion (2014, 2019 & 2022. He has won several major events in the country including the 66th Nairobi Chess Club Championship.