Chess: Kenya bags gold and silver at World Amateurs Chess Championship

Madelta Glenda and Joyce Nyaruai [photo courtesy]

Kenya’s Madelta Glenda is the world amateur chess champion after she won her last game downing Mozah Al-Mamari from the United Arab Emirates.

The University of Nairobi student and Equity Bank chess player clinched 6.5 points to clinch gold as the competition ended in Rhodes, Greece on Monday.

Compatriot Joyce Nyaruai clinched silver after downing another United Emirates player Zainab Almamamari to finish on 6points.

This is the first time Kenya is taking part in the championships held annually through support from the ministry of sports.

Glenda Madelta won the World Amateurs under 1700 Chess Championship 2021 with 7.5 points out of a possible 9points  followed closed her compatriots Joyce Nyaruai in 2nd position with 7 points.

The event was held at the prestigious Rodos Palace Hotel on Rhodes Island in Greece from October 16th - 26th.

Kenya was represented by 7 men namely, CM Ben Magana, National champion Mehul Gohil, Joseph Methu, Jackson Ndegwa, Philip Singe, Martin Njoroge, and Sadam Ali Sheik.

The ladies team comprised Madelta Glenda, national champion Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Lucy Wanjiru, WCM Joyce Nyaruai, and Woman Fide Master (WFM) Sasha Mongelli.

Going into the penultimate round in the U1700 ladies category, Madelta held half a point lead over her compatriot Joyce, which meant either of them could be crowned the world champion, but it was Madelta who clinched the coveted title after seeing off her final round opponent Al-Moaamari Mozah from the UAE with the black pieces in a nail-biting finale played on the top board, with 7.5 points out of a possible 9.

WCM Joyce also emulated her by beating WCM Almaamari Zainab Darwish also from the UAE with the black pieces on board 2, to clinch the silver medal with 7 points. WCM Lucy also beat the local girl Troumouchi Katholiki who played with the white pieces, to finish in 6th place with 5.5 points.

WFM Sasha put up a spirited performance in the U2000 category where she upset some higher rated players. Another Kenyans playing in this category was Jackson Ndegwa.