2015-2016 Kenya National League Starts!

The highly anticipated 2015-16 Kenya National Chess League got off to a thunderous start last week where a total of 18 teams confirmed participation.

2014-15 Kenya National League Winners KCB Lions were one of the first teams to register, together with Equity Bank, Eastlands Chess Club, Deadly Bishops, University of Nairobi, Tritonite Stars, Kenyatta University, Checkmates Chess Club

Making their debut will be Kenya Alliance Insurance Company, Thika University and Kisii County Chess Club. Nairobi Chess Club return to the event after sitting out last year’s edition due to the very poorly run 2013-14 edition where delays, postponements were the order of the day. To add insult to injury Nairobi Chess Club who came out 3^rd in a bitterly fought contest were awarded a trophy that was clearly used, broken and without any plaque.

During last year’s edition KCB signed on Harold Wanyama from Uganda as their board 1 to support their team which also included reigning Kenya National Champion Ben Magana. This year KCB went further to sign on Ivy Amoko of Uganda as their top lady player.

The bidding war had started and Equity startled the chess fraternity when they announced their line up to include 3 very strong Ugandan players for their top 3 boards;

IM Arthur Ssegwanyi
IM Elijah Emojong
FM Patrick Kawuma
CM Kenneth Omolo
Daud Mowlid
Brian Kidula
CM John Mukabi( Team Coach )

Jacktone Mony

Victor Hongo

Benard Wanjala
Sanjana Deshpande
Gloria Jumba

John Mukabi - Coach Equity Bank

Victor Hongo (left) v John Hadley

Reaction was swift on Social Media with a small minority rearing their xenophobic feelings in public. However many players loved this glamour and glitz that these hugely successful chess players bring to the National League.