St Joseph, Jalaram triumph in Kisumu

St Joseph Nyabigena and Jalaram School topped the Kisumu Junior Chess tournament on Sunday.

Jalaram from Kisumu and Nyambienga from Kisii emerged as the best primary and secondary schools respectively.

Mohamed Abdallah, Byron Nyamao and Rishit Ravat collected four points after defeating their opponents from the first to the fourth round in under 18, 14 and 10 categories respectively.

Nyamao said determination and routine trading paid dividends. “The competition was stiff and I am happy that I have been able to overcome strong challenge from good players in this new championship,” she said.

“My target is to come up with a strategy on how I can improve on weak areas. I want to thank Kisumu Chess Club and my school for organizing and allowing us to play,” she added.

Rishit Ravat, who was the youngest in the competition, said she is looking forward to an improved performance when she represents her school in the next tournament.

“I’m so much humbled by my performance. It gives me courage to fight for more divisions in Chess and I want to thank everyone who supported this noble course,” Ravat said.

Kisumu Chess club captain Bob Odhiambo organized the tournament which seeks to promote chess in western Kenya.

“We want to promote the game in the Nyanza and Western regions so that people know how interesting the game is. The game is also good for the children and teenagers as it widens their knowledge and also useful in mathematics, sciences and critical thinking,” said Odhiambo.