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.