Strathmore University & WeCC Put Up An Amazing Event

Srathmore University & Westland's Chess Club (WeCC) have successfully organised the Strathmore-WeCC Open which took place last weekend 10th & 11th November 2012.   The event was a first ever for a university and chess club to come together to organise an event.

I could not attend the event as a player or even as a spectator due to work pressure and hence have just copied and pasted the WeCC report that I received.  The venue was just amazing and one could be mistaken that the event was being held in some European Capital.

Veteran Martin Oyamo Wins Top Prize at Inaugural Strathmore-WeCC Open

Veteran chess player and coach of many of today’s strongest players in Kenya, Martin Oyamo, beat 73 of his fellow competitors to win the inaugural Strathmore-WeCC Open Chess Championship held this weekend at Strathmore University’s glamorous new Students’ Centre. Martin remained undefeated in the 7-round tournament conceding just half a point in his last game when he drew to first runner-up Brian Adorwa to finish with 6.5 points. Following him in the overall prize winners bracket were Brian Adorwa (2^ndplace), George Nderitu (3^rd place) and CM* Ben Magana (4^th place) with 6 points each and newcomer Abdinasir Burale (5^th place) with 5.5 points.

University Players
In the ‘University Players’ category, George Nderitu (Strathmore University) took home the ‘Best University Player (Male)’ prize  followed by James Muchai (5 points, University of Nairobi) and Peter Ding (5 points, Kenyatta University) while the ladies prizes were won by Gloria Jumba (3 points, University of Nairobi), Daphne Mwikali (3 points, Kenyatta University) and Ann Kung’u (2 points, Kenya Poly). Kenyatta University took home the ‘Best University Team’ prize with their top 4 players scoring a cumulative 18.5 points, a whole point ahead of rivals University of Nairobi and 1.5 points ahead of Strathmore University.

Junior Players
FM** Ritvik Pendyala was the ‘Best Junior Player (Male)’ with 4 points followed by Andrew Nderitu who had 2 points. The ‘Best Junior Player (Female)’ prize went to WCM*** Riya Shah with 3 points while WCM Krishi Shah was the first runner-up in that category with 3 points.

Winners received a variety of prizes that included trophies, medals, cash and gift vouchers from sponsors IMAX Kenya, New Muthaiga Stables and Mzoori.com.



Jointly organised by Strathmore University and Westlands Chess Club, the well-attended tournament saw participants from 10 universities including: hosts Strathmore University, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Mount Kenya University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Egerton University, Kenya Polytechnic, Kenya Methodist University, Kimathi University and Pan Africa Christian University. Most notable absentees were Daystar University whose chess club boasts one of the strongest ladies team. Members of Westlands Chess Club (WeCC), Nairobi Chess Club (NCC), Eastlands Chess Club and Motor Sports Chess Club also represented their respective clubs.



The event was covered by KBC on their 7 and 9 pm news on Sunday, 11th November, barely hours after the tournament ended.

*CM – Candidate Master; **FM – FIDE Master; ***WCM – Woman Candidate Master

Prize winners: 

• 1^st Place (overall) – Martin Oyamo (6.5 points)
• 2^nd Place (overall) – Brian Adorwa (6 points)
• 3^rd Place (overall) – George Nderitu (6 points)
• 4^th Place (overall) – CM Ben Magana (6 points)
• 5^th Place (overall) – Abdinasir Burale (5.5 points)
• Best University Player (Male) – George Nderitu (6 points, Strathmore University)
• Second-best University Player (Male) – James Muchai (5 points, University of Nairobi)
• Third-best University Player (Male) – Peter Ding (5 points, Kenyatta University)
• Best University Player (Female) – Gloria Jumba (3 points, University of Nairobi)
• Second-best University Player (Female) – Daphne Mwikali (3 points, Kenyatta University)
• Third-best University Player (Female) – Ann Kung’u (2 points, Kenya Polytechnic)
• Best University Team – Kenyatta University (18.5 points)
• Best Junior Player (Male) – FM Ritvik Pendyala (4 points)
• Second-best Junior Player (Male) – Andrew Nderitu (2 points)
• Best Junior Player (Female) – WCM Riya Shah (3 points)
• Second-best Junior Player (Female) – WCM Krishi Shah (3 points)

Final Standings (Top 20):

1. Martin Oyamo – 6.5 points
2. Brian Adorwa – 6 points
3. George Nderitu – 6 points
4. Ben Magana – 6 points
5. Abdinasir Burale – 5.5 points
6. Ricky Sang – 5 points
7. Jacob Onditi – 5 points
8. Phillip Singe – 5 points
9. James Muchai – 5 points
10. Mowliid Ahmed Daud – 5 points
11. Abdikarim Roble – 5 points
12. Bryan Toboso – 5 points
13. Peter Ding – 5 points
14. Austin Walela – 5 points
15. Jacktone Mony – 4.5 points
16. Joseph Atwoli – 4.5 points
17. Martin Wagah – 4.5 points
18. Geoffrey Omondi – 4.5 points
19. Ian Odhiambo – 4 points
20. Collins Young – 4 points

Related Links:

• More photos from the event
• Final standings on Chess Results Server
• SWOCC coverage on KBC
• Strathmore-WeCC Open Chess Championship (SWOCC) details