Chess: Gohil triumphs in Mombasa Open tournament

Samara Zawadi from Msingi School, Kisumu in past action [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Cool breeze from the Indian Ocean seemed to help multiple national men's chess champion Mehul Gohil calm his nerves in the Mombasa Open tournament.

Gohil produced a brilliant display to lift the overall title at Mombasa Intercontinental Hotel, on Monday evening.

Gohil, who keenly moved the pawns, wrapped up the game in style, after collecting 5.5 points.

The Team Dinosaur experienced player, who has represented Kenya in numerous international tournaments, defeated strong opponents from hosts Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Lesotho, in the six-round Swiss system tournament.

Ben Magana, who turns out for KCB Chess Club, was second also with 5.5 points, as Dedan Kimathi University's Brian Mwangi collected five points for the third position.

Uganda's Egesa Emmanuel, from Kireka Chess Club, Lawrence Kagambi (Waridi Chess Ventures) and Equity Chess Club player Elvis Likoko had five points each.

In ladies' category, women candidate master Joyce Nyaruai, representing KCB Chess Club of Nairobi, proved unstoppable after she bagged five points to lift the crown.

Nyaruai was the tournament's top seed and did not disappoint after beating the 2021 World Amateur under-17 champion Glenda Madelta and 2018 Kenya national and second seed and KCB's Gloria Jumba.

Glenda of Equity Chess Club was second with five points, while Jumba collected 4.5 points to finish third. Jully Mutisya of Nakuru Chess Club and Mercy Cherono representing Kabarak University Chess Club, bagged 4.5 points each for the fourth and fifth positions respectively.

In the veteran category, KCB Chess Club emerged victorious courtesy of Philip Singe with four points as candidate master John Mukabi of Equity Chess Club picked four points to finish second.

The best corporate club award went to KCB Chess Club with 23.5 points. Equity Chess Club was second with 22 points

Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology were the best university team with 18.5 points, while Kabarak University had 17.5 points, Kenyatta University 15.5 and Daystar University 14.5