Chess: Equity bank vital points to open up gap in league ranking

Equity Bank are now firmly in the driving seat after last weekend’s Kenya National Chess League matches in Mombasa.

The bankers beat off a late challenge from hosts Mombasa Chess Club to build a three-point gap over fellow contenders Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

Peter Diing and woman candidate master (WCM) Ivy Amooko saved the day on boards four and five respectively against fierce home team Mombasa Chess Club (MCC).

After holding reigning champions KCB to a draw and effectively shattering their hopes of retaining the title, MCC were bent on causing similar disappointment to team Equity.

MCC were counting on king slayers Paul Ombui and Agnes Thuo, who had landed them victories in their previous encounters.

Facing off against MCC captain Ombui, Equity’s Diing pulled a surprise by sacrificing his bishop mid-game, culminating in an easy four-move finish.

Equity’s WCM Amooko came back from being an exchange down against MCC’s Thuo to force an pawn end-game which transitioned to a slow but sure win. 

Reacting to the win, captain Bernard Wanjala said: “We are happy we have corrected the mistakes that cost us the championships in the previous season.

“We had a poor finish where we lost to an underdog but this time round, we are fighting hard until the end of the season.”

KCB remain favourites to finish second with Nairobi Chess Club closing in on the medal bracket.

The league takes a break to pave the way for the national elections and will resume with Equity playing Tritone Chess Club, who are ranked 18th.

Tritonites will be counting on three-time national champion WCM)Riyah Shah for glory.

[Gilbert Wandera]