Equity end KCB’s 10-year chess reign in inter-bank tourney
What you need to know:
- “KCB were good, but Equity are now the form team and we want this victory to be the start of our domination in the sport,” Mukabi told the Nation
Equity Bank ended KCB’s 10-year reign in the Inter-Bank Chess tourney to win the 2014 edition that ended at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies at the weekend.
Equity, who are also the national champions, emerged top after amassing 30 points after a week of grueling action that saw over 12 banks take part in the chess event.
Equity, coached by veteran Olympian and former KCB player John Mukabi, dominated from the first day of action and won 10 , and drew 2 out of the 12 matches they played.
FINISHED SECOND
KCB finished second on 28 points relinquishing the title they have won for more than 10 years. The 2013 champions won nine games and lost one to their rivals finishing with 34 game points while Equity had 35.5 game points. Equity coach John Mukabi said his team were the hungrier side and the win signified their dominance in the sport.
Mukabi who helped KCB to more than five interbank crowns before joining their rivals said he wanted to dominate with his new team as he did with KCB.
“KCB were good, but Equity are now the form team and we want this victory to be the start of our domination in the sport,” Mukabi told the Nation Sport. KCB’s Isaac Babu blamed his team’s loss to the absence of several key players and a lack of adequate preparations for the event.
“They (Equity) started training early for this event and were better prepared than us, we will come back much stronger next year to win back the title,” Babu said.
Barclays and Co-operative banks finished third and fourth.
