Home Chess News GORILLA FARTS #2: Update on Round 2

GORILLA FARTS #2: Update on Round 2

September 13, 2024

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GORILLA FARTS #2: Update on Round 2

Report by – Mehul Gohil aka ‘Gorilla’

The 4-0 win yesterday was an important psychological booster for the team. Everyone is on the scoreboard. Those are good feelings to have now that Kenya is back in the top half of the pack.

McLigeyo is playing the best chess on the team. Harmony of tactical vision, strategic insight, good opening prep, good calculation, controlled aggression. It is strong chess. Even the disdain for Bxb1 yesterday was not a mistake but ambition to extract more. The conversion of the Q+B vs 2R+B was efficient.

Njoroge builds up well but in both games some lack of nerve and retreat into a mode of making passive moves cost him a draw vs GM and almost cost him the win yesterday. It is like he becomes cautious and doesn’t want to mess things. Contrast that to the free flow play of McLigeyo.

Likoko played well yesterday. Yes, the opponent gave him an easy game with an opening blunder but Likoko’s conversion was clinical. No mistakes.

Mutuge made some strange positional decisions, weak ones, yesterday. He was lucky his opponent did not know how to attack in basic terms. If it was any 1800 plus Kenyan with White there, Mutuge may have suffered (attacking being a Kenyan playing strength in general). This allowed Mutuge to finally show case how dangerous he can be when the situation is dynamically fluid with chances for both sides.

Ian Mutuge in action during round 2. GORILLA FARTS #2: — Ian Mutuge in action during round 2.

Round 3

Today, they Luxembourg (a fairly strong team). Let’s see what adjustments they make in light of the weaknesses they have exhibited. The psychological initiative is on the side of Team Kenya after yesterday’s 4-0 smash. If they play like in Rd1 with some improvement then there is a chance for an upset today. McLigeyo especially has been playing 2300 or 2400 chess.

Kenya’s standing in the Olympiad

Kenya is currently in position 75. We are currently ahead of the likes of Egypt. If we can create an upset today (either draw or even win), Kenya will be in the best position after 3rds it has ever been in any Olympiad.

Kenya’s best Olympiad finish is position 70. (1980 team).

Best individual performance: 1980, Saif Kanani, TPR: 2449

GORILLA FARTS #2: — Saif Kanani’s Olympiad performance.

Saif Kanani (left with light blue jacket) in action during the 1982 Malta Olympiad against Gonda Gentaro in a game that he won. On his left is the late Aslam Adam. This photo was taken during the Kenya - Japan match. Kenya lost the match 2.5-1.5. GORILLA FARTS #2: — Saif Kanani (left with light blue jacket) in action during the 1982 Malta Olympiad against Gonda Gentaro in a game that he won. On his left is the late Aslam Adam. This photo was taken during the Kenya – Japan match. Kenya lost the match 2.5-1.5.

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.