Chess: Wanyama wins Kisumu Dala Chess tourney

Nairobi Gymkana's Larry Kagambi (left) and Xvavier Waweru of Knight Riders during Kenya Premier Chess League at Charter Hall Nairobi on Sunday, May 19, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Fide Master Harold Wanyama from Uganda was crowned the champion of the inaugural Kisumu Dala Chess Open championship played at the Scottish Tartan Hotel in Kisumu over the weekend.

The KCB import finished top with 5.5 points after going unbeaten, winning five matches in a row before drawing one.

Kenyans Andrew Mumia from Mombasa Chess Club, Candidate Master Ben Magana, also from KCB tied in the second position after both finished with 5 points.

Steve Okeyo of Kenya and Samuel Were of Uganda completed the top five as both tied on 4.5 points for fourth.

The Best Lady award went to Woman Candidate Master Joyce Nyaruai of KCB and Woman Fide Master Sasha Mongeli of Technical University of Kenya after each finished with 3.5 points.

The best-underrated player award went to Jeff Onyango and Nicholas Orando who score 3 points.

Speaking after the win, the champion Wanyama said he was thrilled by winning the tournament saying it boosts his confidence when Kenya Chess Premier League resumes.

“I am looking forward to continuing with this form for my club,” he said.

Head of Chess Kenya Women and Special Groups Winnie Thitu: Said: “We brought this tournament here in Kisumu as a way of encouraging healthy competition among players from the western region just as those in Nairobi.

“We want this game to grow and thrive here and it’s with these tournaments that we will achieve our dream,” she said.

The tournament formed part of the Chess Kenya Federation programme of promoting the game at the grassroots level with the aim of reaching almost every county by next year.