Kenyans pick positive results at Kireka Open Chess Championships
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 29.12.24. | 13:11
The nine-round tournament has attracted a record 300 players from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, and Rwanda
Kenyan players were off to a flying start in round one matches of the Kireka Open Chess Championships, which started in Kampala, Uganda on Saturday.
The nine-round tournament has attracted a record 300 players from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, and Rwanda.
They will be fighting for a Ksh.500,000 prize money.
Brian Toboso got off to a positive start as he upset highly-rated Abel Matovu.
Toboso, who is ranked 1774, went into the tournament on the back of a positive show at the Kenya National Chess Championships where he finished in the top ten category.
His opponent, rated 1946 went into the match as the favourite.
Mathenge Gichugu, fresh from representing the country at the World Youth Chess Championships in Brazil also picked a win in the first round after he stopped Ugandan Dylan Kato Nimanya.
Kisumu-based Liam Tindi beat another Ugandan Mbaaza Jeremiah.
Other Kenyans, who won their matches in the open category, include Moses Andiwo, who beat Nuwe Nehemiah, and Bradley Wathimba.
There were, however, losses as Africa under-8 silver medalist Nathaniel Manyeki fell to Uganda’s Abdullahi Gaba Haruna and Christine Karen, who went down to International Master (IM) Elijah Emojong.
In the ladies' category, Kenya also had a good start with Julie Mutisya, Joyce Nyaruai and national champion Sasha Mongeli, all winning their matches.
Elsewhere, the second edition of the Kenya Inter-universities chess championships will be held from February 7-9 at Kenyatta University.
The two-day championships have a prize fund of Ksh.67,000.,
The winner in the Open category will pocket Ksh.15,000 with the runners-up collecting Ksh.10,000.
The winner in the ladies' will collect Ksh.10,000. There will also be cash prizes for people living with disabilities.
According to organizers entry fee per student is Ksh.1,800 with the deadline for registration being 3 February.
Maseno University won the first edition held last year at the same venue.
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