KCB dethrone Deadly Bishops in league ties

Bank of Africa's Collins Young(left) squares it out with candidate master Ben Magana of KCB during a chess premier match played on November 4, 2018 in Kisumu.(Photo: Washington Onyango)

Kenya Commercial Bank won all four matches over the weekend to go top of the Kenya National Premier Chess League.

Backed by candidate master Ben Magana and Ugandan Fide Master Haruna Nsubuga, the bankers knocked out Strathmore University, Bank of Africa and Stima Chess Club 5-0 in consecutive scores before crushing Kisumu Chess Club with a similar score in the Kisumu leg.

The results saw them displace Deadly Bishops (46 points) from the top spot with 51 points with only two games left to the end of the league.

Defending champions Equity Bank also won their match against hosts Kisumu, scoring 3.5-1.5.

James Panchol, Benard Wanjala and Ivy Amoko drew the first blood on board 1, 4 and 5 respectively to secure a win for Equity.

Kisumu Chess Club captain Bob Odhiambo got a draw against Kenyan Fide Master Stephen Ouma while Victore Sidera won against Brian Adorwa.

Equity are now second in the standings with 47 points and trail leaders KCB but with a game in hand.

Kisumu Chess Club moved six places up to he eighth spot with 25 points after scoring vital wins over Strathmore University and Bank of Africa with their new signing Milka Kilel shinning for the lakeside team.

The league winners will now be known when KCB and Equity clash on the final day of the league in Nairobi later this month.

The matches were overseen by Chess Kenya President Benard Wanjala.