Kamau floors Magana to win Chess Open

Jackson Kamau beat Kenya National Champion Benjamin Magana in the last round to win Kenyatta University Chess Open tournament held at the Kenyatta University Main Campus at the weekend.

In the women’s event, Gweyani Jumba garnered an impressive five points out of seven to be crowned the ladies Champion.

Kamau capped of an impressive performance during the two day event emerging top after amassing 6.5 out of seven points to walk away with a cash prize of Sh10,000 and a trophy. Kamau and Magana were neck to neck going into the last day of competition and their clash would see the winner win the inaugural event.

Olympiad bound Kamau summoned all his prowess taking the game to his more illustrious opponent who eventually succumbed to defeat as Kamau celebrated his second win over the national champion.

Kamau was victorious again when the two clashed at last month’s fourth Capablanca Cup held at Braeburn School posting a perfect score of 5/5 points to emerge the winner, followed by five time Olympiad and national champion Ben Magana with 4.5. The Strathmore-based player described the win as a true reflection of the improvement of his game since he sealed his spot in the Olympiad team.

“My game keeps getting better with every tournament and I hope I can keep this from going to the championship were there will be stiff competition from the best players from around the world,” Kamau told Daily Nation Sport.

Magana finished second with six points walking away with Sh7,000 while Steve Ouma came in third place finishing on 55. Points and went home with Sh5,000.

Gweyani Jumba dominated the women’s section, as she won five rounds.