2012 Kenya Open!

Finally after what seemed like Eternity - the ever popular Kenya Open is on schedule this coming weekend at Kenyatta  University.  I will not be there unfortunately as I will be heading off for the "Rhino Charge" this weekend.  I will try to put some photos from this event when I manage to get them.

14 year old Richard Polaczek getting his prize from MG
Sharma - then Supremo of Kenya Chess Association

The first Kenya Open was held in 1979 and that edition was won by 14 year old wonder boy - Richard Polaczek of Belgium.  I have enclosed a photo of that special moment.

Richard currently is an IM and plays for Belgium.

With the top prize fund being KShs 30,000 you can expect a horde of Ugandan chess players who will brighten up the event.

My good buddy and long time chess supporter Rodgers Adai has sponsored partly sponsored the event to the tune of KShs 20,000.  More on Rodgers Adai later.

I have enclosed the letter from Chess Kenya with the details.

Dear Chess Friends,
                                                                                                                                                
RE: INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN KENYA OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012

Chess Kenya is pleased to invite your to participate in the upcoming  Kenya Open Chess Championships  scheduled to be held from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd  June 2012 at Kenyatta University Main Campus along Thika Road, Nairobi .

This event will also act as the first (of three) phase Olympiad Qualifier to select the Kenya team to represent the country in the 40th Chess Olympiad to be held in Istanbul, Turkey between 27th August – 10th September, 2012.

The following is a breakdown of the prizes that will be awarded :

·         Open Section:   Winner - Ksh30,000; 2nd – Ksh15,000; 3rd – Ksh10,000; 4th Ksh5,000
·         Ladies Section: Winner – Ksh 15,000; 2nd –Ksh 7,500; 3rd – Ksh 5,000
·         Debutants/ Junior Special prize:  Ksh5,000
·         Trophies will be given for each category.

The top twenty-four (24) players from both Ladies and Men sections will proceed to the subsequent qualifier stages as follows:

·         Phase 2: June 9-10 – Shortlist 10 players in each section
·         Phase 3: June 22-24 – Shortlist 5 players in each section

The participation fee will be Kshs1,000 per player and US$20 (Ksh1700) for foreign players. Registration is to be made before 1700Hrs Monday 28th May. Payments made afterward will attract a Ksh200 late registration fee. Registration closes at 1000Hrs on June 1st 2012, entries after Rd1 pairing will miss Round 1.

 Payments can be made in the following ways:

·         Cash  - Paid Directly to the Kenya Open Tournament Organizer  Githinji Hinga (undersigned)
·         MPesa –  Tel. 0722452458 (Githinji Hinga) Kshs 1,025 inclusive of withdrawal fee . Remember to indicate name of participant registering via SMS/ Call.
·         Cheque – payable to - CHESS KENYA
·         A receipt will be issued by the tournament organizer

We sincerely apologise for the lateness of this notification. In this regard we strongly urge you to pass this information widely to make this event a success.  We wish to thank you for your continued support of Chess activities. We look forward to your participation.

Kind Regards

Final Results Of The World Youth Chess Qualifiers

Here it is. The full list of the recently concluded Kenya National Junior Chess Championship held over the weekend.  This event was used to select the team to represent Kenya at the World Youth Chess Championship in Slovenia.  You can see some photos below.

KENYA NATIONAL JUNIOR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 19-20 MAY 2012

KENYA BOYS UNDER 8YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name            Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

  1   Sukumar, Anish            2000 6     17.00    6 TROPHY
  2   Minesh, Yash              2000 5     14.50    5 TROPHY
 3-4  Wambua, Maxrore    2000 4.5   14.25    4 TROPHY
      Spencer, Nigel            2000 4.5   10.25    4
  5   Arul, Samesh              2000 4      9.00    4
  6   Sai, Mohit                   2000 2      2.00    2
 7-8  Nderitu, Andrew      2000 1      4.50    1
      Shah, Shanil                2000 1      1.00    1

KENYA GIRLS UNDER 8YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name               Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

  1   Otieno, Gilliane             2000 7     21.00    7 TROPHY
  2   Wanjiku, Raisa               2000 5     13.50    4 TROPHY
 3-4  Hiranandani, Jia             2000 4      9.75    3 TROPHY
      Wanjiku, Kimberly            2000 4      8.00    4
  5   Shah, Aunam                  2000 3.5    8.00    2
  6   Raja, Siya                        2000 2      3.50    1
  7   Nyambura, Abigail            2000 1.5    4.00    0
  8   Wanjiru, Elizabeth           2000 1      2.75    0

KENYA BOYS UNDER 10YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name              Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

  1   Pendvala, Ritvik            2000 7     21.00    7 TROPHY
  2   Shah, Dev                   2000 6     15.00    6 TROPHY
 3-4  Shah, Darshan               2000 4      8.00    4 TROPHY
      Deshpande, Sumit            2000 4      7.00    4
  5   Kiongo, Andrew              2000 3      5.50    3
  6   Ahmed, Sohail               2000 2.5    3.75    2
  7   Kachra, Arnav               2000 1.5    1.25    1
  8   Waithaka, Patrick           2000 0      0.00    0

KENYA GIRLS UNDER 10YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name              Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

  1   Kishan, Sharanya            2000 7     21.00    7 TROPHY
  2   Shah, Krishi                2000 6     15.00    6 TROPHY
  3   Raichura, Roshni            2000 5     10.00    5 TROPHY
 4-5  Mussa, Kalyn                2000 3.5    4.75    3
      Arul, Yuvika                2000 3.5    4.75    3
  6   Vadrevu, Sravya             2000 2      1.00    2
  7   Nyawira, Lorraine           2000 1      0.00    1
  8   Wamuyu, Stellah             2000 0      0.00    0

KENYA BOYS UNDER 12YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name             Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

 1-3  Mussa, Kais                2000 6     16.00    6 TROPHY
      Phadke, Ankur              2000 6     16.00    6 TROPHY
      Karania, Hardiv            2000 6     16.00    6 TROPHY
  4   Shah, Veer                 2000 3.5    5.25    3
  5   Mathenge, Caleb            2000 3      3.50    3
  6   Mathur, Avi                2000 2.5    2.75    2
  7   Kirumbi, Raymond           2000 1      0.00    1
  8   Kahuthia, Dennis           2000 0      0.00    0

KENYA GIRLS UNDER 12YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name                Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

 1-2  Shah, Riya                    2000 6.5   18.25    6 TROPHY

      Kachra, Shefali               2000 6.5   18.25    6 TROPHY

  3   Kachra, Renee                 2000 5     10.00    5 TROPHY

  4   Vadrevu, Ramya                2000 3      5.00    3

 5-6  Srungarapu, Bhumija           2000 2.5    3.25    2

      Wairimu, Abigail              2000 2.5    3.25    2

  7   Muthoni, Ann                  2000 2      3.00    2

  8   Nyambura, Jecinta             2000 0      0.00    0

KENYA BOYS UNDER 14YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name                  Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

 1-3  Vigneshwar, Gowtham             2000 5.5   15.75    4 TROPHY
      Mukhopadhyay, Srinjay           2000 5.5   14.25    4 TROPHY
      Rai, Subham                     2000 5.5   14.25    4 TROPHY
  4   Iyer, Sathya                    2000 5     12.00    4
  5   Karnam, Rajeev                  2000 3.5    5.75    2
  6   Njuguna, Steadfast              2000 2      1.00    1
  7   Warutere, Ian                   2000 1      0.00    0
  8   Karanja, Dennis*                2000 0      0.00    0

KENYA GIRLS UNDER 14YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name            Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

  1   Shah, Sita                2000 7     21.00    7 TROPHY
  2   Karania, Saloni           2000 6     15.00    6 TROPHY
  3   Kour, Japvinit            2000 4      8.00    4 TROPHY
  4   Chheda, Nehal             2000 3.5    6.00    3
 5-6  Gudka, Shweta             2000 3      6.50    2
      Wambui, Joy               2000 3      4.50    3
  7   Maina, Lucy               2000 1.5    1.50    1
  8   Watani, Winnie            2000 0      0.00    0

KENYA BOYS UNDER 16YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name             Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

  1   Weru, Peniel               2000 7     19.00    6 TROPHY
 2-3  Githaiga, Dennis           2000 5.5   12.75    5 TROPHY
      Sengupta, Arjun            2000 5.5   12.75    5 TROPHY
  4   Gakure, George             2000 3      4.00    2
 5-7  Kotecha, Rishi*            2000 2      3.00    2
      Visariya, Kushal           2000 2      3.00    2
      Kamanu, Dennis             2000 2      1.00    1
  8   Mbogo, Daniel              2000 1      3.00    1

KENYA GIRLS UNDER 16YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name               Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

  1   Waweru, Rebecca              2000 6.5   18.75    6 TROPHY
  2   Deshpande, Sanjana           2000 6     15.50    6 TROPHY
  3   Muriuki, Joan                2000 5.5   13.25    5 TROPHY
  4   Mugo, Diana                  2000 3.5    5.25    3
  5   Chheda, Komal                2000 3      3.50    3
  6   Wambui, Roselinda            2000 2.5    2.75    2
  7   Wanjohi, Vivian              2000 1      0.00    1
  8   Kuria, Faith                 2000 0      0.00    0

KENYA BOYS UNDER 18YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name               Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

 1-2  Orina, Duncan                2000 6     17.00    6 TROPHY
      Gakui, Samora                2000 6     11.00    5 TROPHY
 3-4  Thuku, Brian                 2000 5     12.00    5 TROPHY
      Maiben, Kelvin               2000 5     11.00    5
 5-6  Maina, Mike                  2000 2      3.00    2
      Githinji, Leornard           2000 2      2.00    2
 7-8  Kamau, Ben Bosco     2000 1      2.00    1
      Kimani, Paul                 2000 1      1.00    1

KENYA GIRLS UNDER 18YRS QUALIFIERS WORLD YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

OSHWAL ACADEMY NAIROBI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Place Name               Feder Rtg Loc  Score Berg. Wins

  1   Gachema, Maryanne            2000 5.5   17.50    5 TROPHY
 2-4  Mbiru, Teresia               2000 4     13.00    3 TROPHY
      Kabugo, Isabel               2000 4     12.50    4 TROPHY
      Wairimu, Irene               2000 4     11.50    4
 5-6  Waweru, Rachael              2000 3     10.50    3
      Kariuki, Milkah              2000 3     10.50    3
  7   Muriuki, Christine           2000 2.5    7.00    2
  8   Mugambi, Edna                2000 2      7.00    2

CHIEF ARBITER: JOHN MUKABI

Chess Kenya Hosts Finals of World Youth Chess Championship

This weekend sees the final stage to select the team to represent Kenya at the World Youth Chess Championship which is slated for Slovenia later in the year.

A total of 95 players were present at the venue which was Oshwal School, Parklands, Nairobi.  The age categories were under 8, 10, 12, 14,16,18 for both boys and girls.  The event runs on 19th and 20th May 2012.

How could I resist and not go to take some photos.  A small comment about the venue. Parents love it as it is close by to Westlands/Parklands where a number of players reside.  I love the place as it is spacious and can easily host 120 players.  I am not sure if there is a canteen available over the weekend.  The other great place is the Braeburn School on Gitanga Road which  is actually much bigger and can easily host 300 players.  Another small advantage of Braeburn is that they have a canteen and a restaurant where you can have  a full meal with a beer!

I will pass by later today and take more photos with my Canon rather than my small Samsung camera which I used on Saturday.

Arbiter Moses Andiwo from Nakuru watches keenly

Organiser John Mukabi (left) and IA Issac Babu

Oh this event had some controversies - Steve Ouma was meant to be the Chief Arbiter.   Well there was a simmering row over his appointment as he is the coach to a number of kids who are taking part. Well in the end some sanity prevailed and he was removed.

Chess For Peace

I know it is a strange title but that is what this event was called by the organiser - Rehema Maria and the sponsor Universal Peace Federation.  The event was held on 12th May 2012 at the premises of Universal Peace Federation, which is situated along Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi.

I did not go for the event mainly due to the fact that I dreaded the horrible traffic jams around that area especially on a Saturday afternoon.  This means that there are no photos of the event just yet.  I am hoping someone would put some up and I can present them on this blog.

For those of you who want to know who is this hard working lady in Kenyan Chess here is her photo taken on 3rd March 2012 at one of the recent league matches.  She played for Mighty Pawns and won a prize.  Well I was feeling lazy and so I have copy pasted her story for all of you to read.  Well enjoy and from my side I say a "Big Salute to Rehema".

"Chess For Peace event went down well last Saturday. We had 32 guys participating in the mini tourney, 5 of them being ladies. It was a 6 rounds event, with a time limit of 30 minutes per game.

The UPF - Universal Peace Federation extend their gratitude for your participation, and will, hopefully, stage another Chess For Peace (C4P) series.

The notable presence of ICKC by Dr. Victor Ngani and Githinji Hinga, shows, clearly, that there are better times to come. We are humbled, and grateful for your support and encouraging remarks.

Thanks to all who assisted us with chess boards and clocks, as well.

I hope those who came enjoyed themselves. We now understand what it means to organize for a tournament - it comes with its equal share of challenges. 

The list of winners overall is as follows:
1. Wang'ombe Mugo 5.5 points
2. Mehul Gohil 5.0 points
3. John Otieno 5.0 points
4. Collins Young 4.5 points
5. Bernard Wanjala 4.0 points

Winners among the ladies are as follows:
1. Rehema Maria 4.0 points
2. Purity Gachigi 3.0 points
3. Wambui Wahome 3.0 points"

Mujengeres International Open Chess Tournament

Many of you must be wondering what on earth is "Mujengere" - I am not too sure but my Ugandan friends say is it "Woodpusher" or "weak player" in the Buganda language.

Well this Sunday chess players under ChessPAK (Chess Players Association of Kenya) organised an event at the Bowling Green Restaurant which is located at City Park, off Limuru Road, Nairobi.

Players were celebrating the demise of the former Chess Kenya officials and their replacement with the Interim Committee for Kenya Chess "ICKC".

I passed by there today afternoon to bring some photos of this event. A total of 24 players participated.  Many top players were present and include - Peter Gilruth, Mehul Gohil, George Mathea,  Ricky Sang, Martin Oyamp, Philip Singe and a big contingent of 6 players from Daystar University led by their chess loving captain Karan Chrisie.

The event was won by Martin Oyamo and in 2nd place was Wangombe Mugo and third place Peter Gilruth.

Youngest player was Yash Shah who was 8 years old and taking part in his first event.

Enjoy some of the photos!

Peter Gilruth in blue shirt takes on Mehul Gohil

Ricky Sang in pensive mood makes his move against
Brian Taboso.

Players from Daystar University

Players from Daystar University

Singe looks out to the lawn while Dr Jeneby in cap
plays Collins Young

View from the entrance.  Daystar University Captain
Karan Chrisie in pink shirt checks out the action

And if you get bored why not get on to the Quad Bike
as the little boy in red. It costs KShs 100 or USD 1.2 for 3
rounds about 2 minutes each!

Update On Kenyan Chess Politics - 2

Well last Friday there was a committee meeting to arrange the transfer of power.  Well things happened but not really enough.  This was the email that came to my inbox.


The Interim Chess Kenya Committee (ICKC) earlier today appointed posts within the committee as follows:
• Chairman - Douglas Ratemo
• Secretary - Githinji Hinga
• Treasurer - Charles Nyaberi
• Program Director - Paras Gudka
The meeting was attended by: Douglas Ratemo, Charles Nyaberi, Francis Ngesa, Lawrence Kagambi, Steve Ouma, Victor Ng'ani, Githinji Hinga and Paras Gudka.

There was no transfer of the assets and a full disclosure was not really done.  Well it does not matter as things seem to be moving in the right direction.  I am not too sure of what is happening to the Junior Chess Event that is scheduled for 19th and 20th May 2012 to select the final team to represent Kenya during the next  junior event.  I do hope that event goes ahead as that would generate revenue for the federation.  Apparently for last years event kids paid KShs 1,000 - KShs 1,500 and approximately 60 kids will take part.