Strong field to fight for Ksh.220,000 in Mombasa Open Chess Championships

A strong field of players has registered for this year’s Mombasa Open Chess Championships to be held from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 October at Light International Academy.

The players will fight it out for the Ksh220,000 on offer during the three-day championships that also incorporate a junior section on Saturday and Sunday.

Former national champion Mehul Gohil is one of the big names who have confirmed to take part in the event.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Mehul said the event comes at the perfect time as it is only two months before the National Championships in December where the winner will drive away with a car.

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“On the two occasions that I did win the Mombasa Open, I went on to win the National Championship as well,” he said when asked about his chances of winning the event.

He continued: "I am one of the contenders to win the Mombasa Open but not the favourite. Favourites would be FM Harold Wanyama and FM Haruna Nsubuga of Uganda. Both are rated over 2200. Of course, I would love to beat them both.”

Apart from the two Ugandans, Mehul believes that national team players Robert Macligeyo, Elvis Likoko, Ian Mutuge and Martin Njoroge are likely to give him problems as well.

“They had a poor score at the World Olympiad but that does not take away the hardcore practical training they underwent at the biggest stage in world chess,” he added.

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Apart from Mehul, current national champion Joseph Methu from KCB has also registered for the event and will be eager to do well ahead of the occasion to defend his national title in December.

In the women's section, national champion Joyce Nyaruai is doubtful to take part but in her absence, there is still a strong field made up of former women champion Sasha Mongeli as well as national team players Julie Mutisya and Ether Karanja.

The winner of the men's section will pocket Ksh50,000 while the runners-up takes Ksh30,000.

The women's category winner will take Ksh30,000 and the runners-up Ksh20,000. There will also be cash prizes for players in the under-1700 category with junior winners walking away with trophies and medals.