St Patrick’s Iten School players produced sterling performances at the National Youth Chess Championships that entered day four yesterday at the Khadija Secondary school in Mombasa County.
In the boys under 18 category, Joel Odhiambo and Kelly Mwaniki both from the Elgeyo Marakwet County school Iten occupied the top three positions after round six of the event that was due to conclude last evening.
Bhaveshu Shah of Peponi School led the group with six points with Odhiambo and Mwaniki claiming the second and third slots with 5.5 and 5.0 points respectively.
Shah played keenly to rock Rocky Muchiri 1-0 as Odhiambo edged out Pascal Kiptoo 1-0. Mwaniki defeated Aristone Atiagaga 1-0 in another closely fought match.
In girls under 18, Vivian Muthoni of Nacha led with six points after round six with Sarah Mukhana of Chwele Girls School and Naiya Gosrani from Peponi School tying on 5.0 points. Muthoni defeated Gosrani 1-0 as Mukhana stopped Assyah Karama 1-0.
In another competitive round of boys under 12, Kyle Kuka of St Bhakita School led with six points same as Cyprian Mbaabu and Kamami Muiruri both of Mavens Chess Club who had six points. Mbaabu defeated Edger Davids 1-0 while Muiruri beat Tyler Destiny 1-0 in another match.
Lionel Carey Odenyo from Kitengela International School also produced some good performance.
“I started the opening rounds well before the going started getting tougher in the subsequent rounds. Chess is a learning sport and you get better by participating in more tournaments,” said Odenyo.
In girls under 12, Nipul Shah and Nipul Janvi both from Oshwal Academy Nairobi settled for the first and third positions with five points same as Lucy Nduta from Nyeri Primary school who also had five points.