Kenya bounce back to thrash Libya after slow start to Online Chess Olympiad games

Krishi Shah (right) being awarded by Chess Kenya Arbiter Anthony Kionga. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

The Kenya National Chess Team secured its first win in the ongoing FIDE Online Olympiad for People Living with Disability after thrashing Libya 4-0 on Tuesday evening.

Kenya who had lost to Turkey and Malaysia in their opening two matches bounced back to winning ways with Sadam Ali, Robert Ndiragu, Geoffrey Maoga and Ivini Boke winning their board games against Oun Adel, Khalifa Abdul, Mussa Muamr and Alhadar Mohammed of Libya respectively.

Speaking after the win, team captain Anthony Kionga said the team is slowly peaking up the pace after a disappointing start.

“We had a very bad start after the two losses but we were never going to give up. We are going to fight till the last day and we promise good performances henceforth,” he said.

Kenya had lost 3-1 to Turkey on the opening day of the online championship before compounding their troubles with another 4-0 loss to Malaysia.

Weldon Ngetich of Daystar University (left) and Geoffrey Mulaga of Eastlands Chess Club during Kenya Chess Premier League played in Kisumu. [Washington Onyango/Standard]

However, their 4-0 win over Libya has given some hope to the team which will be looking to register their second win when they play Caribbean side Nicaragua today (Wednesday) at 5pm.

“The win has given us a boost as a team. The morale is high and we expect to build on our first win and emerge on top today against the Caribbean side,” Kionga added

The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals, to be staged in double-round format from November 29 to 30. 

The two best teams from the semi-finals stage will advance to the finals to be held on December 3, while the other two will compete for the third-place prize.