An introduction to kenyan chess

AN INTRODUCTION TO KENYAN CHESS

Players

A concoction of Kenyan players during GM Nigel short visit to kenya

THE BIG SEVEN

Ben Magana

By far magnum is the strongest Kenyan player at the moment. He finds ways of winning even from the minutest advantages. His play during the 2006 Kenya national championships which also doubled as qualifiers for the all African games was phenomenal. His only drawback is his performance against international players. The recently concluded Olympiad and the Ugandan tournament bring into question his ability to perform under pressure.

Mathew kanegeni

Kanegeni is a precise calculator, great competitor, good instructor and generally a complete chess player. I never saw him play during his heyday but from media reports I could judge that he was a class above his peers. Although ‘young players’ are shoving him off the scene he is still a great player.

Ben nguku

Nguku is a volatile player on the board. He is a great attacker and most of the time comes off with the win. GM Nigel short was so impressed by his play that he posted one of his games in his weekly chess column in the UK.

John mukabi

Mukabi is a cunning player. With his choice of openings including 1.Nf3 and 1. c4 or even 1. g3 and preferring the closed Sicilian he will always wait for you to make a mistake and then strike with lethal precision. He has been playing competitive chess for over 20 years and still has the enthusiasm to compete.

Mehul gohil

From chess ninja website to chessbase.com and everything in between you will find mehuls contributions. Locally he is one of the best analysts around. He is fond of revolving a pawn around his fingers while playing. His best moment was winning the checkmates round robin one of the strongest tournaments held locally.

Martin gateri.

You should look at gatteri’s score sheet after the game. Anyone who can read must be a genius. Gateri spends most of his time recording moves than thinking! But someone suggested that in fact gateri maybe a very good blindfold player. He is not really having problems recording his moves but he his really thinking.

Nathan ateka

He will be found in Ugandan tournaments than Kenyan ones, maybe because he is closer to Uganda than Kenya. A player of great experience ateka had great duels with andolo in the 90’s.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Akello atwoli, george mwangi, wyclife obutu,

The future of Kenyan chess lies in these young men. But chess is not for the faint hearted and they have to claw their way to the top.

THE ALMOST THERE

Victor ngani, Paul maloba, ken omollo, William wachania, Lawrence khaduli, Philip singe, isoe moseti, james apiri, steve ouma.

They struggle to get to the top of Kenyan chess. Sometimes they make it at times they don’t. but they give the strong players a run for their money.

NEVER SAY DIE

Philip mwashe, atwoli lukoye, andolo ambasi, peter jaoko, cyrus ambasi, brian mmata e.t.c

You will always find them in tournaments, they may never win but they give Kenyan chess its flavor.

THE QUEENS

Linda abur, jane wambu, phina magara, rose wabuti, purity maina, Beatrice kwanya.

The queens of Kenyan chess. What would the kings do without the queens?

ORGANIZERS

Isak babu, Lawrence kagambi e.t.c

The main organizers of Kenyan chess from chess Kenya.