Teenager wins car after clinching Kenya National Chess Championships
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 16.12.24. | 08:33
On his way to victory, Macligeyo won all but two of his matches as he picked draws against Hillary Sagwe and Allan Chumba
Candidate Master (CM) Robert Mcligeyo delivered a checkmate performance, dethroning defending champion Joseph Methu to claim the National Champion title at Makini School on Sunday.
With that win, Macligeyo drove away a brand new Nissan Note car worth Kshs.1.2 million.
The KCB player aged 19 becomes the youngest player to ever win the national title.
On his way to victory, Macligeyo won all but two of his matches as he picked draws against Hillary Sagwe and Allan Chumba.
This year’s tournament was dominated by junior players who dominated the top five positions.
Jackson Ndegwa finished runners-up after stopping youngster Aguda Lwanga in round eight.
It was the second consecutive loss for Lwanga who dropped to the fifth position despite dominating earlier rounds.
African under-12 champion Jadon Simiyu from Nakuru squeezed a rock-solid draw against Brian Gabriel Mwangi.
Despite losing only once to Kenya’s top-rated CM Ben Magana (Elo 2069), Simiyu showcased why he’s a rising star.
Pre-tournament favourite Ben Magana suffered another loss this time to Larry Kagambi.
Magana is the highest-rated player in the tournament, but despite that suffered three consecutive losses to be completely out of running for the title.
Dr. Victor Ngani (Elo 1953) couldn’t diagnose a way out of Kimani Kimingi's (Elo 1876) strategic grip on board five as he suffered his second loss in a row.
Sasha Mongeli defended the ladies' title after winning on a tiebreak.
Mongeli, Julie Mutisya and Madelta Glenda had tied on 7.5 points each after round nine.
With that win, Mongeli earned Sh.100,000. Glenda finished runners-up and pocketed Sh.50,000 while Mutisya finished third and earned Sh.25,000.
Elizabeth Cassidy (Elo 1704), the U14 junior and Africa Youth bronze medalist, castled her way to glory after being declared the best youth.
Former National Champion Jumba Gloria (Elo 1680) proved her knack for tactics, overcoming PWD Champion Cherono Mercy (Elo 1594) to finish third.
