Ken Omollo, Ben Magana and Daphne Mwikali will fly the Kenyan flag high at the Zone 4.2 Chess Championships that kicked off over the weekend in Kampala, Uganda.
Initially, Kenya was awarded five slots each for both men and women categories but only sent three representatives due to logistical constraints.
Apart from Kenya and Uganda, other participating nations are Egypt, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Seychelles, Ethiopia and Sudan.
Ivy Amoko who plays for Kenya’ Equity Bank is part of the Ugandan “She Cranes” team that also comprises of Joan Nakimuli, Christine Namaganda, Goretti Angolikin, Grace Kigenyi and Phiona Mutesi.
At home, Chess Kenya (CK) is making every effort to comply with Section 41 (second schedule) of the Sports Act 2013 on the constitution of sports organizations. It is only last month when the Ministry of Sports published a list of federations that are yet to comply.
CK recently held a Special General Meeting and effected all the necessary amendments to their constitution. “That was the major issue and the only agenda for the meeting. We were able to make all changes that now paves way for our registration,” CK chairman Githinji Hinga said. “We are losing a lot for not being registered.”
Reduce tenure of office
Members also agreed to reduce the tenure of elected officials from four years to two. The deadline for registration of all sports federations was August 2014.
The SGM coincided with the Nairobi Super Select Chess Challenge that was organised by Nairobi Chess Academy & Club. It was a rare opportunity as unrated players squared it out with rated players with the latter dominating.
The focus of the tourney was to raise number of rated players in the country. Joseph Kirega, 19 was the overall winner scoring 5.5 points out of a possible 6. Brian Adorwa and Nicodemus Ndonye scored 5 points each to tie at second place.
Twelve players took part in the challenge, six rated and six unrated. Krishi Shah was the best placed unrated player with 3 points followed by Ankur Phadke and Anish Sukumar who both scored two points.
In a related development, Chess Kenya joined hands with the National Youth Talent Academy to conduct a training program for elite players of under 17 years. It was part of their ongoing partnerships to help develop the game of chess. The training that was offered for free included a coaching course.
Another big event lined up for chess players is The Kenya Millionaire Sate-light Chess Festival to be held at KICC from April 30 to May 3. It will double up as the 2014-15 National Chess Awards ceremony.
Nairobi Super Select Chess Challenge Results: Joseph Kirega (5.5 points), Brian Adorwa (5 points), Nicodemus Ndonye (5 points), David Kinoti (4.5 points), George Getumz Omondi (4.5 points), WCM Krishi Shah (3 points), Ankur Phadke (2 points), Anish Sukumar (2 points), Peniel Weru (2 points), Fathima Mohamed (1 point), Dennis Mathenge (1 point), Hardiv Karania (1 point).
