Nyaoke and Gacheri emerge top at Riara Virtual Chess Tournament

Boaten Akwesi of Riara Primary School in action during a past match. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Adrian Kelly Nyaoke and Liz Gacheri are the winners of the first edition of the Riara Virtual Chess Tournament.

Nyaoke and Gacheri won all their matches to emerge top in the under-14 boys and girls categories respectively in the one-day virtual tournament organized over the weekend.

Speaking after the win, Nyaoke said he is looking forward to perfect his game after the win.

“It feels good to win. It was a tough but interesting tourney where I learnt a lot despite the fact I won in my category. I still have a long way to go and I believe I will get even better with time,” Nyaoke told Standard Sports.

In the category, Nayoke topped with six points followed by Drew Mukabi and Clarence Maina Mwangi in second and third place respectively as Johari Ariel Mugure finished runners up to Gacheri in the girls’ category.

In the Under 12 Girls Naima Njeri Munene emerged top followed by Abigael Anyango Atandi and Angela Wambui Munene as Murakaru Njuki topped Ryan Rumu Otsyula and         Timothy Alfred Patta in the boy’s category.

In under 10 categories, Eddy Thiongo Mwangi, Kevan Chuma Irungu, Izrael Wangendo Ngwachi were toppers in the boy’s category as Natasha Mumbua Kasili, Abigail Wairimu Githara and Anne Favour led in the girl’s side.

In the under eight categories, Nate Kimutai Murimi, Leon Mukesi Simiyu and Jeremy Kihato emerged top in the boy’s category as Manuella Nelima Kasili and Chelsea Wairimu led in the girl’s category.

Riara Chess Club Patron Aira Odhiambo said the tournament was a success and they are looking forward to training the learners further and playing more tournaments.

Lucy Evara of Riara Primary School in action during a past match. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

“Chess is important to the young earners as it helps them academically and therefore we are going to train them even more as we believe their success in class will be greatly impacted by the game,” Odhiambo said.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, Riara Group of Schools introduced Virtual Chess lesson for all the learners in September.

Riara Primary School Principal Naomi Mbugua said the school is determined to fulfil Chess Kenya’s goal of popularizing the board game across the country by starting with the young learners.

-SELECTED RESULTS

GROUP ONE

Under 8 Boys

1)         Nate Kimutai Murimi

2)         Leon Mukesi Simiyu

3)         Jeremy Kihato

Under 8 Girls

1)         Manuella Nelima Kasili

2)         Chelsea Wairimu

Under 10 Boys

1)         Eddy Thiongo Mwangi

2)         Kevan Chuma Irungu

3)         Izrael Wangendo Ngwachi

Under 10 Girls

1)         Natasha Mumbua Kasili

2)         Abigail Wairimu Githara

3)         Anne Favour

Under 12 Boys

1)         Murakaru Njuki

2)         Ryan Rumu Otsyula

3)         Timothy Alfred Patta

Under 12 Girls

1)         Naima Njeri Munene

2)         Abigael Anyango Atandi

3)         Angela Wambui Munene

Under 14 Boys

1)         Adrian Kelly Nyaoke

2)         Drew Mukabi

3)         Clarence Maina Mwangi

Under 14 Girls

1)         Liz Gacheri Okello

2)         Johari Ariel Mugure

GROUP TWO

Under 8 Boys

1)         Brian Munene

2)         Nicholas Munga Mungai

3)         Ethan Mathew Mburu

Under 8 Girls

1)         Amirah Laika Opli

2)         Ella Wangui Kamau

Under 10 Boys

1)         Jeremy Kirwa Kabugi

2)         Jayden Wahome Mwai

3)         Ty Barrack Lolo

Under 10 Girls

1)         Sandra Nyambura Gichuki

2)         Wanjugu Ruhiu

3)         Immaculate Njoki

Under 12 Boys

1)         Nevin Munene Gitonga

2)         Idris Gatheru Mathenge

3)         Godfrey Mwandembo Mjomba

Under 12 Girls

1)         Shanese Pendo Muya

2)         Jenny Nandako Wekesah