68th Nairobi Chess Club Championship – CM Garang Panthou Madol crowned winner
The 68th Nairobi Chess Club Championship concluded with CM Garang Panthou Madol of South Sudan claiming victory, scoring 3.5 points in four gruelling rounds against some of the region’s top players.
Twelve-year-old Muli Faraja Mumo also finished with 3.5 points, tying for first place, but ultimately secured the silver medal on tie-breaks.
CM Garang Panthou and Muli Faraja Mumo shared the KES 35,000 cash prize equally.
FM Peter Majur Manyang of South Sudan, winner of three consecutive Nairobi Chess Club events this year, had a disappointing tournament. By the end of day one, he had lost to Lenny Matagia and Muli Faraja and chose not to return for day two.
Three-time Kenya National Champion Mehul Gohil withdrew after day one, having been held to a draw by Bernice Gikandi in round one and losing to Lenny Matagia in round two after a costly blunder.
This section attracted 18 players, and the average rating was an impressive 1910.
Nisha Bhavsar, the Chairlady of Nairobi Chess Club presents CM Garang Panthou Madol with his trophy. Photo credit Isaac Pelnino.
U1800 Section
Victor Baraka Gagne won this section in fine style with 3.5 points out of four rounds and went home with KES 15,000 and a glittering trophy.
13-year-old Ryan Danson Kimani of Nairobi Chess Club took the silver with three points, equally tying with Amos Ochieng. Both players equally shared KES 15,000.
This section had 14 players.
Nairobi Chess Club Vice-Chairman Leonard Maina Langat presents Victor Baraka Gagne with his trophy for winning the U1800 Section. Photo credit Isaac Pelnino.
U1600 Section
Don Muiruri Kamami won this section with a perfect score of four points out of four rounds to go home with a trophy and KES 10,000.
Nisha Bhavsar, the Chairlady of Nairobi Chess Club, continued to add silverware to her cabinet by coming out 2nd with three points.
This section saw 16 participants battling it out.
U1500 Section
The U1500 Section was by far the biggest section with 46 players. Samuel Kuoiloi Malak won this section with ease by scoring six points out of six rounds to win KES 7,500 and a trophy.
John Owiya Odhiambo and Eugene Zablon were joint second with five points each.
Game Corner
Photo section
From left Viacheslav Chvoro (aka Slav) and CM Bob Bibasa of Uganda who seems surprised by the White Queen! Photo credit Kim Bhari.From left Peter Kyalo, CM Garang Panthou Madol, and Rodgers Adai. Photo credit Isaac Pelnino.Happy prize winners and officials pose for a group photo. Photo credit Isaac Pelnino.
Past winners
67th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – CM Robert Mcligeyo
66th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Mehul Gohil.
65th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – James Panchol.
64th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Ricky Sang.
62nd & 63rd not held due to the Covid Pandemic.
61st Nairobi Chess Club Champion – James Panchol.
60th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – FM Haruna Nsubuga.
59th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Moses Andiwoh.
58th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Peter Gilruth.
57th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – CM Ben Magana.
56th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Lawrence Kagambi.
55th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – FM Patrick Kawuma.
54th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Peter Gilruth.
53rd Nairobi Chess Club Champion – CM Ben Magana.
19th Nairobi Chess Club Champion – Saif Kanani.
Event details
This flagship event by Nairobi Chess Club at the Braeburn School, Gitanga Road, was sponsored by individual well-wishers.
