Telo, Muchoki, Chebet, and Mideva rule School national Chess championships in Eldoret
Nathaniel Munyoki and Ariela Telo were crowned champions of the concluded National Schools Chess
Championships at the Moi Girls high school in Eldoret.
Competing in the under 7 category, Munyoki from Plains View Academy in Nairobi, won 8 out 0f 8 in under 7 open for eight points out of 8 followed by Matis Ogola of the Msingi School Academy and Liam Kanake of Sukari Presbyterian tied on 7 points
each.
“This is where we are selecting a team to represent Kenya to Liberia. We had 1800 participants and 212
schools which is one of our highest turnouts. This just shows how the game has grown and in the near
future we hope to have more schools joining the programme.” Said Bernard Wanjala Chess Kenya
President.
In the under-7 girls, five-year-old Telo managed to squeeze in the lead with unbeaten ways, winning
eight out of eight. Coming from Kinderstart Kindergarten, Nairobi shed off four others to the second
position with seven points. The four Breetaliza Amandah (Mudasa), Bliss Pendo (Msingi), Tiana Adams
(Maria Loreto) and Mayah Annah (Makini School, Kisumu).
Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Elizabeth Cassidy lost the under11 girls to Staicey Chebet on buchols
to emerge victorious. “It was one of the most difficult tournaments I have ever played. Cassidy was not easy
for me but I managed to break the barrier of winning through Buchholz,” said Chebet from KBA School.
Cassidy and Chebet tied on 7.5 points out of eight.
In the boys’ Christian Mwamba Mugambi from Sports view Talent Academy defeated Abel Taji
through Buchholz on 7.5 points. In the under 9 girls, Roots Academy’s Anabel Mideva from Roots
Academy won the title against Ramsa Wamaitha (Little Pearls Academy).
Before going to press, Paul Olando was leading in the under13 Open, with 7 out of 7 matches.
Representing Mavens Chess Club, he led a pack of six players to the second position on six points while
in the under 13 girls’ category, Angel Kagambi from Waridi Chess Ventures gave the lead with seven points
ahead of Grace Lindsey Njoroge and Yvonne Adego Mwashe from Elimu and Lighthouse Chess Clubs
respectively with six points.
“We had 12 categories both for boys and girls. Each category will be taking one player, the top player.
All the players competed and the maximum number of points you can get from every round is 8. The top player in
each category will represent the country in the African Championships in Liberia. Kenya is now a
powerhouse when it comes to chess.” Added Bernard.
Consolata’s Odongo Lwanga led in under 15 boys without dropping a point to amass seven points from
seven games leading Moses Mathew Bejon (Oshwal Academy, Mombasa) and Jamie Obora Kanango
(Lighthouse Chess Club) with 6.5 points each. Amy Mutya led the under 15 girls’ category. The Thika
Road Christian School was leading with 7 points out of seven leading a park of 4 competitors with six
points. In the top ranking under 17 boys, St Patrick’s Joel Otieno Odhiambo and Consolata’s Aguta
Lwanga lead the park with 6.5 points each in the 7th round ahead of the final 8th round leading eight
competitors with half a point behind. In girls under 17, Ivy Nyambura of Alliance Girls made it to the top
with 7 points ahead of seven others for the top prize.
“The tournament has been fine even though I wasn’t able to get the maximum points least I tried and
got 7 and a half. I did my best and I just want to thank God for everything.” Said Stacy chebet.
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