Candidate Master Benjamin Magana is optimistic of boosting his Federation of International Chess (FIDE) ranking in the upcoming local chess league on October 31 at Jomo Kenyatta University of Science of Technology.
Magana registered seven points to emerge the overall winner at the Nairobi County Open Chess Championship held at Wadi Degla Club.
The tournament featured 350 participants from Kenya, Uganda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Ukraine.
“Competing against top players from the region is always a privilege and I don’t take it for granted. I came here intending to win, and I’m happy with my performance,” said Magana.
He added: “I’m proud of my teammates for their effort. We have a young, talented squad and I’m confident we will keep winning.”
Equity Chess Club’s Mark Wasswa secured second place with 6.5 points while Mavens Chess Club’s Gabriel Njuki finished third.
Njuki, the second runner-up, narrowly edged out KCB’s Joseph Methu, who placed fourth.
Fifth place was shared among a group of players who each finished with six points.
Gong Thon (Kireka), Hugh Okonga (Equity), Hilary Saqwa (Nacha), KCB’s Brian Irungu, Abuk Agoot (UBA) and Martin Kagiri (Mavens Tactician) all tied in the fifth place with six points each.
In the ladies’ section, Jully Mutisya claimed the title with 5.5 points, while FIDE Master Joyce Nyaruai of KCB tied in second place with Equity’s Sasha Mongeli, also on 5.5 points but separated by a tie-break.
Equity
clinched the overall title after finishing
with 40.5 points with KCB took second
place based on technicalities