Defending champions Equity Bank seek to reclaim top spot in 2019 Kenya Premier Chess League

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Defending champions Equity Bank seek to reclaim top spot in the 2019 Kenya Premier Chess League when action resumes at Royal Court Hotel in Mombasa today.

The bankers lie third on the log with 18 points and two games in hand and team captain John Mukabi said they long to go on top of the table with three wins this weekend.

“The team is well prepared for the coastal leg and we are determined to ascend to the top by winning all our matches. We had a perfect start in the league and we look forward to maintaining our unbeaten run,” said Mukabi.

He said they will be wary of arch rivals KCB Bank Group Chess Club who are fifth with 18 points. “KCB are a good side with huge experience and talented players who can change a game at any time. We are tied with same points and we have to be careful with our approach if we are to get to the top,” he added.

Equity face Strathmore University and hosts Mombasa tomorrow before tackling Stima the following day.

Anchor Chess Club, who are on top of the log with 21 points and will not play this weekend, might be dislodged by either Equity or KCB as the two have two games in hand.

KCB’s Candidate Master Ben Magana said their aim is to keep a winning run. “We are traveling to Mombasa to collect all the 12 points from the four games scheduled. We intend to maintain our good show until the end of the season. This year, there’s no room for error. We learned bitter lessons last season after finishing third,” he said.

Mombasa Chess Club, who have lost one of their three games, aim to improve and move up the table.

Mombasa will face KCB and Equity before meeting Strathmore University.