KCB’s Nguku is Kenya Open chess champion

KCB's Ben Nguku ponders his next move during a past match. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Nguku beat a field of 83 to finish with a total of seven points out of a possible eight.
  • Pre-tournament favourite Mehul Gohil finished second on seven points but lost out on a tie-break.
  • Nguku went home with Sh30,000 and Gohil Sh25,000.
  • Veteran Peter Gilruth and South Sudanese-born James Madol Panchol - were next with 6.5 points each, the former finishing third on tie-break.
  • The ladies title was won by three-time Olympian and Women FIDE Master (WFM) Jane Wambugu who finished with 7.5 points out of 8.

Two–time Olympian Ben Nguku of Kenya Commercial Bank Chess Club (KCB) won the 2016 Kenya Open chess tournament held at the weekend at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.

Nguku beat a field of 83 to finish with a total of seven points out of a possible eight.

Pre-tournament favourite Mehul Gohil finished second on seven points but lost out on a tie-break. Nguku went home with Sh30,000 and Gohil Sh25,000. Veteran Peter Gilruth and South Sudanese-born James Madol Panchol - were next with 6.5 points each, the former finishing third on tie-break.

The ladies title was won by three-time Olympian and Women FIDE Master (WFM) Jane Wambugu who finished with 7.5 points out of 8.

“It was a competitive event. Top players in Kenya competed and I beat them all. It is a good way to start my season,” Nguku said.

The three-day event was the first organised by an interim Chess Kenya team led by Benard Wanjala, who took over two weeks ago. The event, sponsored by Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa, attracted 103 players including 19 in the women’s category.

Completing the prize list in the open section were Brian Toboso, Joseph Methu, veteran Lawrence Kagambi and Jackson Ndegwa respectively with six points each.

In the ladies category, WFM Riya Shah finished second with 5.5points while Joyce Nyaruai finished third also on 5.5 points. The rest were Saloni Karania and Dahpne Mwikali on five points each, and Stephanie Mumbi and Winfred Thitu on 4.5 points respectively.

The top junior lady was Vadrevu Sravya with four points followed by Gosrani Naiya (four) and Fathima Mohamed 3.5.

In the boys’ event, Milton Mwangi emerged top with 4.5 points followed by Sumit Deshpande also on 4.5 and Timothy Mwabu rounded up to three positions with four points.

The tournament is one of the Grand Prix events being used to select Kenya’s team to the Africa Zone 4.2 event in Dar es Salaam next month and the World Chess Olympiad teams in Baku, Azerbaijan, in September.