Nguku lifts Nakuru Open Chess title

By Feverpitch Reporter

Olympian Ben Nguku, who plays for the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Chess Club, is the new Nakuru Open Chess Champion.

Nguku amassed five out of a possible six points during the event held at a Nakuru hotel at the weekend.

Nguku won on tie-break ahead of team mates, Ben Magana and Githinji Hinga, who also collected five points. The fiercely-contested championship saw KCB players display teamwork that locked out National Bank of Kenya (NBK) players from the podium.

Past winners

NBK had dominated last year’s championship, with Steve Ouma winning the coveted title.

Nakuru Chess Club was not to be outdone in their home turf and gave a good account of themselves against the top players and, with good preparation, the region can bounce back to the national limelight.

Among top players to have emerged from the region in the past are Olympians Joseph Sompisha and Lawrence Awori, Peter Jaoko, Isoe Moseti and Wangombe Mugo.

Janet Rosana won the ladies’ title and Nancy Waswa (NBK) was placed second. Jackson Kamau (GTI) won the under-23 category.

The top 10 players in the final ranking were: 1. Ben Nguku (KCB, 5 points) 2. Benjamin Magana (KCB, 5 points) 3. Githinji Hinga (KCB, 5 points) 4. Wycliffe Obutu (NBK, 4.5 points) 5. Steve Ouma (NBK, 4.5 points) 6. Martin Oyamo, 4 points) 7. Philip Singe (KCB, 4 points) 8. Duncan Munai (Nakuru Chess Club, 4 points) 9. Austin Okeyo (Nakuru Chess Club, 4 points) 10. Larry Kagambi (NBK, 3.5 points).

The event attracted 33 players and was held over six rounds using the Swiss system of pairing. Nakuru Chess Club organised the championship under the auspices of Chess Kenya.

Meanwhile, Kenyan players will be heading to Kampala, Uganda for the East African International Open Chess Championship, which will be held over the long Easter weekend.