Kenyan girls too good for Maldives at Chess Olympiad
What you need to know:
- It was Kenya’s second successive win at the competition after they floored Palestine with the same margin in the previous round on Wednesday.
- Nyaruai was particularly impressive, winning her game in under half an hour to the delight of her colleagues.
The national women’s chess team on Thursday beat Maldives 3-1 in round six of this year’s Olympiad at the Baku Crystal Hall, Azerbaijan.
It was Kenya’s second successive win at the competition after they floored Palestine with the same margin in the previous round on Wednesday.
Despite missing the opening four rounds, the self-sponsored quartet again put on a dominant display to clinch three out of the four boards.
Just like they did against Palestine, Gloria Jumba was in board one and despite a nervy start managed to overcome Shahudha Mohammed to give Kenya a 1-0 lead.
Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jane Wambugu, who was the only Kenyan who failed to win against Palestine, was determined to make amends as she took on Zaura Abdulla on board two. Wambugu made a couple of wrong moves and Abdulla capitalised to level the tie for the European nation.
NYARUAI IMPRESSIVE
The Kenyan girls were however not to be denied victory as the experienced WCM Purity Maina and debutant WCM Joyce Nyaruai crushed Aishath Alya Mohammed and Nuha Rilwan in board three and four respectively to clinch the points for Kenya.
Nyaruai was particularly impressive, winning her game in under half an hour to the delight of her colleagues.
Maina praised the team’s determination and believes they can better the performance of the 2014 team which finished in position 126.
“We have been improving with each match and it feels go to have won again. Tougher opponents lie ahead but we are ready for them,” Maina told Daily Nation Sport via phone.
The result means Kenya which was placed 127 after their win on Tuesday will rise up in the standings in the biennial event that has brought 140 nations.
Kenya were due to find who they will face in the seventh round today as they hope to make it three wins out of three. The 11 round competition which started on September 2 will end on September 13.
The Kenyan men’s team fail to travel after failing to secure tickets.
