CHESS: National junior team jets out to Greece for world event

The national junior chess team for this year’s World Schools tournament left the country on Monday to take part in the competition to be held on the Greek island of Rhodes.

Chess Kenya chairman Bernard Wanjala said he is grateful to the Ministry of Sports for sponsoring the team and expressed optimism that they will perform well.

“We are grateful to be able to expose our players to this world competition. They are our best players and we are confident they will do well. We are grateful to the ministry of sports for their support,” he said.

He said the federation has made grassroots development of chess as a major plunk of their programs and such exposure helps a lot.

Kenya will be represented by a strong team who will be hoping to reap medals in the world event that will feature 525 players from all over the world.

CHESS: Cheater to face discplinary action

Winnie Kaburo the Africa under-9 champion will be trying her luck at the world stage after an outstanding performance in last year’s Africa Chess Championships in Ghana where she became the first Kenyan to win the continental category.

Kaburo was runners-up in the Kenya National Chess Championships (KNCC) held last year in Eldoret and will be out to do better in the world event.

Her brother Nathaniel Muchoki is also in the team and will play in the under-9 category. Nathaniel is the national under-9 champion.

In the under-13 category, national champion Elizabeth Cassidy will be making a second appearance at the world event.

She represented the country in last year’s tournament held in Panama and will be looking to do better this time around.

She will be accompanied by Fantalis Nduta and Abigael Nafula in the under-13 category.

The Lwanga brothers, Aguda and Odongo will take part in the under-17 category.

The full Kenyan team

Boys under-9: Nathaniel Muchoki, Nathan Baraka. Under-13: Kyle Ndara Kuka, Abel Taji, Christian Mugambi, Jadon Simiyu. Under-15: Paul Junior Olando, Jamia Obora Kanango, Samuel Khisa. Under-17: Aguda Lwanga, Odongo Lwanga.

Girls under-7: Breetaliza Amandah. Under-9: Winnie Kaburo. Under-11: Anabel Mideva, Staicy Chebet. Under-13: Elizabeth Cassidy, Fantalis Nduta, Abigael Nafula. Under-15: Angela Githega, Erica Mumbi Muturi. Under-17: Elsie Mutitu Muturi, Ammy Mumo Mutua and Grace Lily Mboya.