Equity Chess Club retain National Chess League title

Equity Bank Chess Club successfully defended the National Chess League title on Sunday after defeating their perennial rival KCB 3-2 in a highly charged match at Kenyatta University.

Going into the last match, Equity had already built a five-point lead over their rivals and the results of the match were therefore inconsequential.

Ugandan Fide Master Harold Wanyama of KCB, who had been flown in to rescue the team, fell victim to Equity’s youngster Gabriel Wangombe’s tactical masterstroke.

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The biggest upset however came from 14-year-old Kyle Kuka from Equity who crushed reigning National Champion Joseph Methu of KCB.

Equity secured the league title after outwitting 17 teams in the Premier League to top the table with 45 points ahead of team Mavens Tacticians Chess Club with 40 points, while Lighthouse Alpha Chess Club closed the medal bracket with 39 points.

Former champions KCB emerged a distant fourth after losing to the Equity and Mavens. This latest win earns Equity the fifth title since they joined the league in 2013.

Marvens Chess Club which was promoted from the Super League posted an impressive performance finishing runners-up. They registered an important win against KCB only to fall against the champions Equity.

The team had beefed up its squad with the recruitment of top South Sudanese players John Thong and Panchol Madol who have been the backbone of the team.

Equity will now shoulder the high responsibility of flying the national flag in the 2025 World Rapids Chess Championship organized by Wthe orld Chess Federation in June next year.

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The event usually brings together top clubs from all parts of the world to compete for global honours.

Equity Coach Moses Andiwoh said: “This was a very tough league because everyone was gunning to beat us. I’m proud to have had a disciplined and dedicated team that makes the tough going manageable.

The teamwork demonstrated by our players even in the face of formidable opponents is commendable. Despite our devastating loss to Knights Chess Academy, we were able to dust ourselves off and regain our victory.”

In the lower tier (Super League), the University of Nairobi took gold with 61 points followed by team Mavens Chess Club with 61 while Tricky Anchors was second runner-up with 60 points. Daystar emerged as the best University in the Super League while the University of Nairobi was the best in the Premier League.