Kanango wins national youth championships

Jamie Kanango of Jeddys Academy in Mombasa. He won bronze during 2021 African Schools individual championship held in Mombasa. 26th January .[Omondi Onyango2022]

Coast chess champion Jamie Kanango showed his potential by winning the National Youth Chess championships at the Khadija Secondary School in Mombasa on Tuesday evening.

The Lighthouse Chess Club junior player’s victory came in the eighth round over Keith Gichoya of Nairobi’s Makini School after handing him a 1-0 win.

Kanango who won the Coast Youth Chess tournament a fortnight ago at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa had good moves that saw him improve on his play to win the boys Under-14 category with 7.5 points.

“It was a strong tournament where I faced some of the best juniors in the country. I am delighted for the remarkable win. It was my favourite type of chess,” said the 13-year-old player who is in Class Eight at Jeddys Academy, Mombasa.

Lwanga Odongo of Consolata Secondary School was second with 7.5 points after he defeated Rishit Ravat of Kisumu Senior Academy 1-0 while Samuel Wanjala of Maryster Academy finished third with 7.0 points after dismissing Austine Mwiti of Peak View Academy Nyeri 1-0.

In boys Under-16, Lwanga Aguda of Consolata Secondary School bagged 7.5 points for the overall win after drawing with Samuel Kagambi of Waridi Chess Club in the last round.

Kimani Calvin of Epitome School of Chess had 7.0 points for the second slot after dismissing Pius Wanjala of Teremi Boys 1-0.

Johnpaul Getange of Alliance Boys had 7.0 points for the third position after beating Benson Moses of Mombasa Chess Club 1-0.

Kanango’s younger brother Jason Kanango posted 5.5 points after drawing with Ian Kimondo of Nanyuki High School in the final round.