More upsets at Kenya chess championships
Ben Magana ponders his next move at a past chess competition. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The winner of the open category will walk away with Sh100,000, while the ladies winner will pocket Sh50,000.
- The tournament will also be used as the first stage of the qualifier for next year’s All Africa Games in Morocco.
Teenager Naiya Gosrani caused a major upset in the ongoing National Chess Championships after she downed defending champion Joyce Nyaruai on the second day of action at the Parklands Sports Club.
The 13-year-old Gosrani, a student at Hillcrest School, needed 57 moves to win the match that lasted more than four hours.
Gosrani has been in great shape this year and won a bronze medal during the Africa Youth Chess Championships held in Kisumu in August.
National men's champion Benjamin Magana also found the going tough after being held to a draw by Joseph Maigwa and both players picked just half a point each.
Like the women's champion, it was a tough result for Magana, who will be under pressure to do well in the remaining matches.
Another surprising result was youngster Milton Kihara upsetting former champion Mehul Gohil in round two.
After the second round of matches, the leading pack with two points has Ben Nguku, George Ochieng, Kimani Kimingi, James Kabui, Daniel Gisore, Martin Oyamo, Victor Ngani, John Mukabi, Godfrey Mulaga, Moses Andiwo, Milton Kihara, Stephen Kariuki and Amos Simiyu.
The tournament continues on Friday from 9a.m.
The winner of the open category will walk away with Sh100,000, while the ladies winner will pocket Sh50,000.
The tournament will also be used as the first stage of the qualifier for next year’s All Africa Games in Morocco.
Other results:
Terence Chazima 1-0 Joseph Atwoli, John Mukabi 1-0 Tom Amwai, Jackson Ndegwa 1-0t Mugo Mungai, Young Lourdes 1–1 Philip Singe, Brian Kirwa 0-1 Martin Oyamo, Martin Njoroge 1-0 Ian Ndugu, Fred Sagwe 1-0 Ndegwa Macharia.
