Nyaruai and Macligeyo off to Egypt for Africa Individual Chess tourney

Joyce Nyaruai of Kenya in action during a past game.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Joyce Nyaruai and Robert Macligeyo will represent Kenya in this year's Africa Individual Chess Championship set to kick off on Saturday in Cairo, Egypt.

The two were winners of the final phase of national team selection and are set to play in the Cairo tourney which will double as a world cup qualifier for both men and women.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) granted Africa four slots, one already taken by Egyptian star Grandmaster Amin Bassem who is in top 100.

The three slots are yet to be taken. The world cup is scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan from 29th July -25th August 2023.

Chess Kenya President Benard Wanjala said they are confident the duo will pull big wins as they seek to fly the Kenyan flag highest in Cairo.

"We have two exiting young chess masters who are slowly turning to out to be the next generation of Kenyan chess stars. We wish them well," said Wanjala.

Macligeyo, the under 18 junior champion is seeking to position himself to becoming the first Kenyan International Master and later Grandmaster.

High profile tournaments like the Africa Individual is what he needs to grow his ratings and gain necessary experience.

Already, he has demonstrated his commitment by breaking in national team twice by age of 16 and also became the highest rated player in the country.

Joyce on the other hand will be out to give a short to World Cup slot. She will be out also to seek revenge to the Wafa WGM sisters who had a field day during Kenya Open held last month in Nairobi.

The tournament has attracted players from 24 African Nations and will end on May14th.