Kaloki siblings lose as World Junior Chess Championship starts
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 27.02.25. | 21:10
Kenyan Ben Magana, Ian Mutuge and Kyle Kuka are among the top Kenyans taking part in the three day event
After a one day delay, the World Junior Chess Championships started in Montenegro on Tuesday afternoon.
The two Kenyan representatives Kaloki Hawi and Zuri Kaloki lost their opening matches on the opening day.
The tournament has attracted more than 250 players and was forced to kick off a day later due to flight disruptions that forced a number of flights to the Southern European country to be cancelled.
Hawi rated 1990 lost to Fide Master (FM) Falkevall Axel from Sweden. From the start it looked a mismatch as the Swedish opponent is rated an impressive 2401.
Zuri on the other hand lost to French girl Cornileau Juiette who is rated a high of 2144 compared to 1784 for the Kenyan.
Speaking from Montenegro, Hawi Kaloki admitted that the first match was tough but expressed confidence they will recover in subsequent matches.
“First of all we spent 24 hours at Istanbul airport after our flight was cancelled and we have not had time to recover fully. The competition is also very tough considering the ratings of most of the players.
We are determined to do well and will give our best in the up-coming matches,” he said.
The tournament has attracted a record 11 Grand Masters and Kenya is the only African country taking part.
Elsewehere, the first edition of the Mavens Chess Club tournament starts on Friday at the Piano School.
The three day event has an impressive prize fund of Sh.300,000 and has so far attracted 150 players from three federations.
This include Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan.
The winner of the open tournament will walk home with Sh.50,000 while the ladies winner earns Sh.30,000.
Ngong Thong from South Sudan is the tournament’s top seed with a rating of 2196.
Haruna Nsubuga from Uganda rated 2195 has also registered and is among the favorites to win.
Kenyan Ben Magana, Ian Mutuge and Kyle Kuka are among the top Kenyans taking part in the three day event.
.jpg)
