Natalie Waititu records big win as Zuri draws in World Youth Chess Championships
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 03.11.24. | 21:35
Meanwhile, Kenyans struggled in the boys under-14 category
Former under-14 girls champion, Zuri Kaloki drew her fifth game at the World Youth Chess Championships in Brazil on Saturday and is now the second highest ranked African in her category.
This is just her second international tournament after representing the country at the Africa Youth Chess Championships in South Africa in June.
Going into Saturday’s match against Kammova Katerina from the Czech Republic, Kaloki had already collected two points.
The draw against the highly ranked Katerina has put Kaloki in 51st position out of 95 players.
Botswana’s Otimile Maya is the highest ranked African in this category at position 31 with three points.
Two other Kenyan players in this category all lost their matches.
Vamla Njoki went down to Brazil's Orsini Sarah De Oliveira (1400).
Njoki displayed strategic moves as she looked to take control, pressing for an advantage with every pawn push.
Hope Muthoni received a bye, gaining a well-deserved chance to recharge for the upcoming rounds.
Natalie Watitu crushed Brazilian Seara Sophia Parisotto (1504).
With each move, Natalie demonstrated her resilience, pushing forward with the determination of a rook on a mission.
In the boys under-14 category, it was another bad day in office for the Kenyan players.
Wesley Gitau lost to Chile’s Saa Manriquez Gaspar Facundo (1539).
Francis Njenga (1455) fell to Russia’s Chen Youlin (1733).
Despite facing a higher-rated opponent, Njenga held his ground.
Jabu Gachwe Kariuki received a bye this round, giving him a moment to castle and prepare for the battles ahead.
In the boys under-16 category, Daniel Baraka Simiyu picked his first win as he upset Brazil’s De Souza Silva Naua (1629).
Simiyu is rated 1565 and was expected to struggled against his opponent but this was not to be as he held on to pick his first point.
He now has 1.5 points and will be looking to get at least five points in the remaining six matches.
While Simiyu picked his first win, Mathenge Gichuga is yet to taste victory as he lost to Brazil’s Dos Santos Felipe Gabriel (1503).
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