Aguda Lwanga leading race for new car in Kenya National Chess Championships
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 14.12.24. | 14:40
The 19-year-old has now won three matches in a row against top players and remains in contention to drive away the brand-new Nissan Note car, the top prize in this year’s competition
With two rounds of matches to go, teenager Aguda Lwanga has come out as the top contender to win the Kenya National Chess Championships title.
The 19-year-old has now won three matches in a row against top players and remains in contention to drive away the brand-new Nissan Note car, the top prize in this year’s competition.
After upsetting three-time former champion Mehul Gohil on Friday morning, Aguda followed it up with another upset of former champion Keneth Omollo in the afternoon.
Then on Saturday morning, he upset highly rated Brian Irungu to go to the top of the ladder with 6.5 points.
One more victory in two games will almost assure the teenager the title this year for the first time ever.
Pre-tournament favourite Ben Magana is out of contention for the title after losing two games in a row.
On Friday, the KCB player who is highest ranked at 2069 lost to Brian Irungu and went down to teammate Jackson Kamau Ndegwa on Saturday morning ending any hopes of clinching the title.
In other matches, CM Oluka Robert Mcligeyo (Elo 1992), an unstoppable force in the U20 category, bounced back to a winning streak with a clinical victory over Odhiambo Harmony (Elo 1802) on board three.
Chumba Allan (Elo 1832) upset the formidable Dr. Victor Ngani (Elo 1953). Allan dissected Ngani’s position like a surgeon in the endgame, proving that even doctors can falter when they neglect their chess health.
Okeyo Steve Austin (Elo 1909) continued his reign of terror, taking down the rising star Mulindi Trevor (Elo 1822). Mulindi, fresh from his ascent to the top boards, could not withstand Okeyo's relentless pressure.
In the ladies’ section, defending champion Sasha Mongeli drew against Julie Mutisya in the top board and both players remained at the top with six points each.
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