Merry Christmas

From myself & family i wish all readers of this blog a merry christmas.

Chess whiz kid fourth in Africa

Chess whiz kid Joseph Mwale scooped fourth position during this year's Africa Youth Championship held last weekend in Lusaka, Zambia. More

ALL AFRICAN GAMES: FINAL RESULTS

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. The chess competitions ended yesterday with Egypt sweeping the medals.

Final Standings – Open Section

1. Egypt – 18 points (out of 18)
2. South Africa – 16 points
3. Angola – 13 points
4. Zambia – 13 points
5. Algeria – 10 points
6. Mozambique – 10 points
7. Zimbabwe – 9 points
8. Nigeria – 9 points
9. Botswana – 8 points
10. Madagascar – 7 points
11. Ethiopia – 7 points
12. Kenya – 4 points
13. Namibia – 2 points
14. Ghana – 0 points

Final Standings – Ladies Section

1. Egypt – 13 points (out of 14)
2. Algeria – 10 points
3. South Africa – 9 points
4. Nigeria – 8 points
5. Botswana – 8 points
6. Angola – 4 points
7. Mozambique – 3 points
8. Kenya – 1 point

Board Results – Open Section

1. IM Robert Gwaze (Zimbabwe) – 92.85%
   
2. Joao Simoes (Angola) – 87.5%
3. IM Amorim Agnelo (Angola) – 91.66%
4. IM Mohamed Ezat (Egypt) – 91.66%
5. Bunmi Olape (Nigeria) – 92.85%

Board Results – Ladies Section

1. WFM Eman El Ansary (Egypt) – 85.71%
   
2. Sabrina Latreche (Algeria) – 100%
3. WGM Mona Khaled (Egypt) – 90%
4. WFM Wafa Shrook (Egypt) – 85.71%
5. Oluwatobiloba Olatunji (Nigeria) – 90%
6. 
   

KENYAN TEAM PERFORMANCE

Round 9 – Open Team

Kenya (1.5) v/s Ethiopia (2.5):

1. Githinji Hinga (0.5) – Endale Bekele (0.5)
2. Joseph Atwoli (0) – Girum Teklewold (1)
3. Mehul Gohil (0) – Leykun Mesfin (1)
4. Ben Magana (1) – Michael Getachew (0)

Round 7 – Ladies Team

Kenya (0.5) v/s Botswana (3.5):

1. Purity Maina (0.5) – Tshepiso Lopang (0.5)
2. Gloria Jumba (0) – Boikhutso Mudongo (1)
3. Isabelle Asiema (0) – Keitumetse Mokgacha (1)
4. Rose Wabuti (0) – Ontiretse Sabure (1)

Round 8 – Open Team

Kenya (0.5) v/s Zambia (3.5):

1. Martin Gateri (0) - Stanley Chumfwa (1)
2. Joseph Atwoli (0) – Daniel Jere (1)
3. Mehul Gohil (0.5) – Richmond Phiri (0.5)
4. Ben Magana (0) – Kelvin Chumfwa (1)

Round 7 – Open Team

Madagascar (3) v/s Kenya (1):

1. Girard Ramasindraibe (0) – Martin Gateri (1)
2. Herimanjatosoa Randriambololona (1) – Githinji Hinga (0)
3. Richard El Raza Henikasina (1) – Mehul Gohil (0)
4. Yves Rakotomaharo (1) – Ben Magana (0)

Round 6 – Ladies Team

Angola (2) v/s Kenya (2):

1. Fatima Reis (0.5) – Purity Maina (0.5)
2. Sonia Rosalino (0.5) – Gloria Jumba (0.5)
3. Nelma Lopes (1) – Isabelle Asiema (0)
4. Valquiria Rocha (0) – Rose Wabuti (1)

Round 6 – Open Team

Ghana (0) v/s Kenya (4):

1. Anquandah Francis (0) – Martin Gateri (1)
2. John Hasford (0) – Joseph Atwoli (1)
3. Edward Thompson (0) – Mehul Gohil (1)
4. George Arko-Dadzie (0) – Ben Magana (1)

Round 5 – Ladies Team

Kenya (1) v/s Egypt (3):

1. Rehema Khimulu (0) - Eman El Ansary (1)
2. Gloria Jumba (0.5) – Myada Elgohary (0.5)
3. Isabelle Asiema (0.5) – Mona Khaled (0.5)
4. Rose Wabuti (0) – Wafa Shrook (1)

Round 5 – Open Team

Kenya (0) v/s Botswana (4):

1. Martin Gateri (0) - Providence Oatlhotse (1)
2. Githinji Hinga (0) – Barileng Gaealafshwe (1)
3. Joseph Atwoli (0) – Moakofi Notha (1)
4. Mehul Gohil (0) – Thabo Gumpo (1)

Round 4 – Ladies Team

Mozambique (4) v/s Kenya (0):

1. Graca Tivane (1) – Purity Maina (0)
2. Vania Vilhete (1) – Gloria Jumba (0)
3. Jossefa Mahota (1) – Isabelle Asiema (0)
4. Jesse Silva (1) – Rose Wabuti (0)

Round 5 – Open Team

Kenya (0) v/s Botswana (4):

1. Martin Gateri (0) - Providence Oatlhotse (1)
2. Githinji Hinga (0) – Barileng Gaealafshwe (1)
3. Joseph Atwoli (0) – Moakofi Notha (1)
4. Mehul Gohil (0) – Thabo Gumpo (1)

Round 4 – Open Team

Nigeria (4) v/s Kenya (0):

1. Dlamrewaju Ajibola (1) – Martin Gateri (0)
2. Adegbotega Adebayo (1) – Githinji Hinga (0)
3. Benjamin Omorere (1) – Joseph Atwoli (0)
4. Bunmi Olape (1) – Ben Magana (0)

Round 3 – Ladies Team

Kenya (0) v/s South Africa (4):

1. Rehema Khimulu (0) – Monique S Sischy (1)
2. Purity Maina (0) – Anzel Solomons (1)
3. Gloria Jumba (0) – Ezet Roos (1)
4. Rose Wabuti (0) – Denise Frick (1)

Round 3 – Open Team

Kenya (2.5) v/s Namibia (1.5):

1. Githinji Hinga (0.5) – Simon Shidolo (0.5)
2. Joseph Atwoli (1) – Otto Nakapunda (0)
3. Mehul Gohil (1) – Charles Eichab (0)
4. Ben Magana (0) – Frans Dennis (1)

Round 2 – Open Team

Zimbabwe (3.5) v/s Kenya (0.5):

1. Robert Gwaze (1) – Martin Gateri (0)
2. Rodwell Makoto (1) – Githinji Hinga (0)
3. Spencer Masango (0.5) – Mehul Gohil (0.5)
4. Dion Moyo (1) – Ben Magana (0)

Round 2 – Ladies Team

Algeria (3.5) v/s Kenya (0.5):

1. Amina Mezioud (1) – Rehema Khimulu (0)
2. Sabrina Latreche (1) – Purity Maina (0)
3. Amira Hamza (0.5) – Isabelle Asiema (0.5)
4. Feriel Lalaoui (1) – Rose Wabuti (0)

Round 1 – Open Team

Kenya (0.5) v/s Angola (3.5):

1. Martin Gateri (0) – Eduardo Pascoal (1)
2. Githinji Hinga (0) – Joao Simoes (1)
3. Joseph Atwoli (0) – Amorim Agnelo (1)
4. Mehul Gohil (0.5) – Catarino Domingos (0.5)

Round 1 – Ladies Team

Nigeria (4) v/s Kenya (0):

1. Doris Adebayo (1) – Rehema Khimulu (0)
2. Olufunmilayo Akinoka (1) – Purity Maina (0)
3. Rosemary Amadasun (1) – Gloria Jumba (0)
4. Oluwatobiloba Olatunji (1) – Isabelle Asiema (0)

EMOJONG TO PLAY IN MUMBAI OPEN

FM EMOJONG READY FOR ACTION IN MUMBAI OPEN

BY Uganda Chess Federation

Uganda’s recently crowned FIDE Master (FM) Elijah Emojong is in India to slug it out with 17 Grandmasters and 30 International Masters among others in the 4th Mumbai Mayor’s International Chess Tournament that runs from Friday 16th September to 24th September 2011 in Mumbai, India.
The tournament has attracted entries from 10 countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Ukraine, Armenia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Poland, Israel, India and Uganda.

Russian GM Maxim Turov, with a rating of 2643, is the top seed in the tournament which is organized by Venus Chess Academy and Bombay Chess Association, sponsored by Mumbai Municipal Corporation and co-sponsored by LIC of India.
The rated tournament provides Emojong with a rating of 2156, a rare chance to improve on his rating points and acquisition of an IM norm if he does well against the top rated players in the event.
A total of 11 rounds are to be played in the
event. At the time of filing this report, Emojong was preparing for first round action in the next 15 minutes.


Uganda Chess Federation
P.O. Box 2355, Kampala - Uganda.
National Council of Sports Headquarters, Lugogo
Tel: +256-752-426559, 701-526559
Email: ugandachess@yahoo.com
Website: http://uganda.fide.com

REFLECTIONS

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. Mehul Gohil who is part of the Kenyan chess team has been providing the Kenya chess forum with regular updates.

Mehul looks back at the lessons he has learned at the ongoing AAG.

BY MEHUL GOHIL

1. Must play in 3 FIDE rated tournaments ever year - this event alone
has shown me things I had no idea about.

2. Passive play is punished. Don't ever play passive in these kinds of
events. It's easy to get sucked into that mode since it looks like
safe chess. Probably works in Kenya, back here it does jack. Play
aggressive, play positive.

3. Chess stamina...the ability to keep finding good or competent moves
all the time, the ability to remain vigilant move after move...this is
what separated them from us. The other fellas stay in their for the
long haul. They keep returning the ball over the net. I must admit
this was a whole new phenomenon for me. I haven't experienced this
back home. Game after game this is the situation. Take a look at Gwaze
vs Chumfwa from Rd4...a hundred mover thing...to see what I am talking
about.

4. GM Draws should be banned in Kenya. They lead to bad habits which
are absolutely of no help back here.

5. We don't know how to study or what to study. There are large tracts
of middle game stuff we underestimate or have no clue about. If there
is one clear area the other stronger African players outclass us in is
middle game. In equal or worse positions they know what they should
do, how to etc. In this respect we need a coach. A proper one like an
IM or GM.

6. Calculation and tactics. There is a big gap between us and these
guys in our tactical and calculation ability. Something we all need to
work on. What this allows them to do is be more creative in boring
positions etc. Some of my opponents just came up with things out of
nowhere.

7. We think we love chess a lot as Kenyan chess addicts. Now I know the
other African players love it even more and are even bigger chess
addicts than any of us. This means you must be slightly crackpot in
order to play well. You need a dose of insanity to sit there and
return the ball and wait for the opponent to make a mistake. This
extreme chess addiction of the Zambians, Nigerians etc also allows
them to work like crazy on chess purely on auto-pilot. I now know hard
work in chess does not mean only gritting your teeth and forcing
yourself to sit down to study...it also means having an extreme chess
addiction that self-propels you to look at chess.

8. Theory. You don't know theory then don't bother showing up for a FIDE rated.

9. Long chess and blitz. More long chess events needed in Kenya, plus
out blitz has to be played more seriously and not for fun. These guys
are blitz monsters but you will not catch them playing blitz for fun.
They play it to kill you. They like winning and blitz allows them to
kill more patzers on a shorter time span.

10. Extreme desire to win. Unlike the Kenyans, most of the other
African teams have an intense desire to win. You feel it across the
board. Even if you have a better position or its equal.

11. Knowing the evaluation of the position. I realized I don't know
how to evaluate a position well. Whether it's equal, i am better etc.
This means I didn't know when to accept draws or when to play more
solid or aggressive etc. This evaluation skills I doubt you can learn
from books etc...you need experience and therefore more practice in
FIDE rated events.

12. Knowing when to take a day off. Magnum in this respect knows well.
Before the Botswana game he advised me to rest since I had a good
score etc. And he told me I would burn out or something since the
previous games had been intense. I played instead and I lost. You must
know when to relax. It's very easy to get sucked into looking at chess
all the time here and I realize just forgetting about the game time to
time is very helpful.

13. Tournament regulations. The tornas back in Kenya are largely
informal in nature with noise all the time, post postmortems happening
right next to a game that is going on, people not turning up on time
etc. When you play in these serious affairs like AAG you realize how
important silence is for thinking about your moves. Perhaps we need
stricter torna regulations on our side like switching off phones etc.

ALL AFRICAN GAMES DAY 10

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. Mehul Gohil who is part of the Kenyan chess team has been providing the Kenya chess forum with regular updates.
BY MEHUL GOHIL

Hi guys,

Africa's 2nd strongest chess team (arguably) Zambia crushed us
3.5-0.5. Gateri probably had some chances against IM Chumfwa but
mishandled the mid game complications. Akello was basically dismantled
courtesy of his naivety. He played a line HE KNEW had a refutation.
But he thought it was so complex his IM opponent would not find it.
Well, his opponent, the mighty IM Daniel Jere (who I think will be the
next Zambian GM...he's just damn good) not only knew the whole line in
depth but executed the refutation at almost blitz/rapid speed and our
guy was left with an egg on his face. On Board 4, Chumfwa's younger
bro managed to launch a K-side attack which broke through.

On Board 3 I drew with IM Richard Phiri. This I think is my best game
of this event. I out-prepared my opponent and knew what the mid-game
plans were, spotted a neat d5 breakthrough that consolidated my
advantage, built up a winning attack...but then all that calculation
meant by move 30 both my opponent and I were down to our last minute!!
I naturally miscalculated and unleashed an exchange sac thinking it
was decisive (when maintaining tension was best) only to find the IM
wriggle out and I had to force a perpetual against his king or risk
collapsing.

Tomorrow we play Ethiopia in the last round.

ALL AFRICAN GAMES DAY 9

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. Mehul Gohil who is part of the Kenyan chess team has been providing the Kenya chess forum with regular updates.

BY MEHUL GOHIL
Hi guys,

Madagascar beat us 3-1 with Gateri clinching the point in an
interesting game on Board 1. Madagascar guys are a new team that is
well trained with them having a coach and in this tournament they have
been giving some of the top dogs a run for their money (or medal).
Very serious chaps and we could learn from them. I was offered a draw
by my opponent in a position where neither of us could make any
progress. I should have taken it but the desire to get a point made me
take risks and I was duly punished.

Today we play the might Zambian team.

Tomorrow we wind up and head home day after.

There is a lot I have learned t and I will put down some critical points
in a later report. Somethings you have no idea of their existence
until you have experienced it.

For a debut performance I think I have done OK. But I guess you guys
expected better. I don't think I could have done better as I put in
the max. I cannot emphasis we need to play in 3 or 4 such events in a
year as there is no better way to improve then playing stronger
opposition. Whether we organize lots of classical events back home or
not, if we don't play stronger guys we will not reach far. I already
feel I should play in another FIDE rated as soon as possible in order
to consolidate my 'learning' these sides. Waiting one year for an
Olympiador something would just make no sense and the time gap would
make any learnt lessons irrelevant.

ALL AFRICAN GAMES DAY 8

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. Mehul Gohil who is part of the Kenyan chess team has been providing the Kenya chess forum with regular updates.

BY MEHUL GOHIL

Hi Guys,

The men beat Ghana 4-0 with Magnum finally getting onto the scoreboard
in style via a magnumish K-side attack.

However, the best result of the day was when Isabell and Gwen got
draws against No.1 seed Egypt. This match was dramatic with all the
antics you could hope for in a chess match. First up, Isabella
unexpectedly unleashed a combo that saw her get a winning position.
The Egypt ladies coach could not control himself and lost it. After
all Isabella was about to crush a WGM. So the coach did something
illegal by proposing a draw on behalf of the player!!!!! This without
the player having any idea of offering it herself. Well, what happened
next was hollywoodish as Isabella buckled under the psychological
pressure and took the draw!!! I was livid and went up to the Nigerian
arbiter who had left a half-baked assistant in charge. However, I was
also responsible for my own game and let it go. I won my game and then
went to check Gwen's game which was the last one on. A bunch of us
Kenyans got stunned as Gwen's highly rated player buckled under time
pressure and gave Gwen a completely won position. What do you know,
that bloody coach again pulled a stunt and out of nowhere OFFERED gwen
a draw!!!!! This time Johnny was there and he jumped in like a
stuntman and there was almost a commotion/WWF when the Nigerian
arbiter stepped in just in time in basically told the Egypt coach to F
off. Nenow...the Egyptian men GM's swarmed to where the action was and
they were busy looking at the game. Apparently they absolutely hated
it that their top lady was going down. Kina GM El Ghindy, IM Shoker
and Co were left scratching their heads...Gwen must have been under
immense pressure and when offered a draw this time by the opponent
herself took it. She should have just crushed that Egyptian mamaboga.

Anyways, that was simply a HUGE result for the ladies. Getting two
draws against a WGM infested team that is also the seed one of the
event is nothing short of earth shattering. The team is now charged
with positive emotions.

Tomorrow is another tough day.

ALL AFRICAN GAMES DAY 6 AND 7

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. Mehul Gohil who is part of the Kenyan chess team has been providing the Kenya chess forum with regular updates.

BY MEHUL GOHIL

Hi guys,

Sorry, I cocked up. Like Arsene Wenger i messed up a winning position in the
game against Botswana with the timid ...Qf8 rather than ...Qxh4 which I was
going to play but got panicky. Stupid me. Kenya lost 4-0.

It feels shit to lose. The worst feeling in the world. Some of my colleagues
have lost more than one game. I can only imagine how much worse they are
feeling. Tomorrow we got Ghana and at today's rest day am just having too
much fun and getting that loss out of the system.

I have nothing more to say except now I have to win all my remaining 3-4
games in order to get a medal. Ghana and Madagascar should be sure point...the
other 1-2 points I'll have to work extra hard.

I just hate losing. So much.

ALL AFRICAN GAMES DAY 5

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. Mehul Gohil who is part of the Kenyan chess team has been providing the Kenya chess forum with regular updates.

Mehul Gohil

BY MEHUL GOHIL

Hi guys,

Kenya beat Namibia 2.5-1.5. On Board 1, Githinji Hinga drew. On Board
2 Akello Atwoli decimated his opponent after forcing a poisonous home
cooked meal down his opponents throat. On Board 3 I completely
outprepared/outplayed my opponent, one Charles Eichaab. This big fella
who is the size of 3 elephants (and therefore an imposing presence
across the board) didn't know what hit him in the opening and soon
died. On Board 4 Magana had a won game and his opponent was going to
resign in a couple of moves than something happened and he lost. It
was not touch move, he did not make a bad move, he did not blunder,
his flag did not fall....so here is the riddle...what made magnum drop
a point?

Tommorow we play Nigeria. FM Gateri returns back to the team whilst I
am going to be rested.

Kenya is so far ranked 9/14.

Off the board things to report: We heard that there is some bog storm
brewing back home regarding sabotage/corruption/something as da
netball team flew here, there was no netball for men, and flew back
etc and some MP's are asking for all officials to be arrested at the
airport etc...it seems to be affecting things here as the chess team
is now going back to village over the weekend. We don't like that.
Definitely not looking forward to WWF wrestling, robbers (several
athletes from various countries have been robbed in broad daylight
either when walking in the environs or stuff disappearing from their
rooms), and pig sty conditions (nobody cleaning any toilets, puke all
over etc etc).

ALL AFRICAN GAMES DAY 4

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. Mehul Gohil who is part of the Kenyan chess team has been providing the Kenya chess forum with regular updates.
BY MEHUL GOHIL

Hi guys,

Zimbabwe crushed us 3.5 - 0.5 yesterday. Githinji blew a completely
won game. It would have been a masterpiece but he cracked. Kudos to
his opponent for maintaining composure and turning the tables. Gateri
did his best against Gwaze but in the end IM trickery and technique
won the day. Magnum played a quasi speculative sac against his
opponent...he had a draw with accurate play but he fumbled and the
opponent took his extra piece to the bank.

In my game, a KID bayonet attack occured. I must thank one Mzee
Kanegeni for the training at Kasarani as one of the lines we looked at
came about and I also did some extra homework afterwards. For some 20
moves my opponents and I followed theory in a variation where black
sacs a pawn and cedes temporary initiative in return for the bishop
pair and especially the all important dark square one. My opponent
whilst unrated I found to be stronger than Rd 1 Angolan opponent. He
set many tactical traps for me and it took some willpower to keep
seeing them. I must admit that I could not call the shots in this game
until we hit endgame. My opponent kinda overpressed and I ended up
with some positional advantage when most of the pieces disappeared. I
think I played a pretty tough and resilient defense. Then I relaxed
after the main storm was over and immediately played a move I thought
was strong but when my opponent countered powerfully I realised I was
in shit. He got an extra pawn in a rook endgame but I managed to find
an accurate defense and held on for my second draw of the event.

On the ladies side, Isabella bagged half a point...the first points
for the ladies.

Tommorow we are playing Namibia and I understand it is a team roughly
at Kenyan strength levels. We clearly need to win this match. We are
resting Martin Gateri and Akello Atwoli joins us again.

I am reading most of you are very concerned by the heavy losses we are
suffering and are expecting better. I will bluntly point out that the
opposition is simply much stronger than us and we are one of the
weakest teams here. Plus we are not converting the promising positions
we are getting...speaking for myself I should have won Rd 1 game. The
level of resistance we are facing is much stronger than anything
available back home. In Kenya a 'strong' player plays strong moves
over a phase of 5-10 moves and then switiches to auto pilot. Here one
is forced to keep coming up with competent moves all the time...on
every goddamn move. For me it's an original expeirence and it is
taxing. Clearly team kenya needs to maintain vigilance throughout
otherwise just one sloppy move is getting punished thoroughly.

That said, I think all players are playing to the best of their
ability. Simply more care is needed. Perhaps magnum is the guy who
needs to play better than yesterday as that was not his best.

You guys can complain (it's your right, you are footing the bills),
but we are doing the max we can. Speaking for myself, I am pushing
myself to perform but the opponents are not weak. They don't blunder,
they don't make obvious mistakes and one has to resort to gradually
outplaying them and this is an area I am still getting used to. Maybe
today I will win. Have been checking my opponents games last night (he
has about 60 or so games on the database) and he's an OK player so
I'll have to be precise. Have been digesting what I have been doing
wrong in the last two games and hopefully I am stronger today. Though
I think I am becoming stronger as the games progress.

Off the board things I can mention breifly: Maputo is a very clean and
neat city unlike Nairobi which is more chaotic in comparison. People
are in general friendly. I have developed over the last three weeks a
taste for jogging...every morning I do a couple of kilometeres. One
Gloria Gweyani (or Gwen) in our ladies team is one fit person and can
knock out 4-6 kms with ease. We use the more or less empty road which
leads towards the border with SA/Swaziland. Swimming is also on the
agenda and everyday I do a few laps. The games begin at 3pm so the
mornings I spend preparing for my opponent.

ALL AFRICAN GAMES DAY 1-3

The All African Games are currently taking place in Mozambique. The Kenyan team is composed of a variety of disciplines one of them being chess. Mehul Gohil who is part of the Kenyan chess team has been providing the Kenya chess forum with regular updates.
BY MEHUL GOHIL

Hi guys,

You are not getting much info about woz going on here coz
technologically this country is a banana republic. Kenyan internet
standards are world class but here it is very difficult to get
connected to the world wide web. A modem costs about 7k shillings and
the hotel internet I am using now is costing 400 bob an hour (kenyan
currency) but KNSC have decided to foot the internet bills and maybe
we will get modems as well since it is an integral part of the chess
process.

There are tons and tons of things I can tell you about. The first
three days here (Sunday - Tuesday) have been as action packed as any
human being outside a war zone or Kenya Chess Forum can hope for. It
feels like we have been here a whole year. In random fashion I will
tell you as much as I can but inevitably some things will be left
out.....

1. YESTERDAY'S MATCH vs ANGOLA

Johnny erroneously reported here that Kenya lost 4-0. The score was
actually 3.5-0.5. I got a draw in my first FIDE rated game (Torna is
FIDE rated with titles on offer...depending on how you score). I was
winning but fatigue resulted in some sloppy endgame technique and my
ELO 2257 opponent equalised. We should have done much better, infact
won this match as Akello blew a clear and 'éasy' draw against the
Angolan IM on Board 3. It came as a shock to us spectators when he
went Kf2 soemthing. Gateri had more or less a won position and then I
don't know what happened but he contrived to lose a piece.

The resistance level here is completely different from that of a
Kenyan torna. Fatigue is very real and after the round was over we
were finished. You have to think x10 more in games here. I have never
calculated more in my life in a single game. I got a clear advanatage
but then my opponents geared himself up and started playing a very
hard defense.

Akello and I were the last to finish our games which lasted 5 and a
half hours. I got to the hotel had a light dinner, hot shower and
crashed into bed. I think I'll die if I have to play two more rounds
like this.

We rested Magana against Angolo. Today we are playing Zimbabwe which
is powered by IM Robert Gwaze. We are resting Akello since we think he
needs to recover after his shattering loss (when the draw was so close
at hand). Plus he played a very good game. The IM never outplayed the
guy. Unfortunately tragic things happen in chess.

2. THE PLAYING VENUE ETC.

The venue for chess is absolutely stunning. I think it's the best
chess venue I have ever seen in my life. It's a place called Banco de
Mozambique Cultural Center. I will post some photos on my off day here
on KCF and on Facebook so that you take a look for yourself.

The arbiters are utter professionals. Very high standards. I have
never witnessed this before.

The who's who of African chess are all here. It's one hell of an
experience. As a chessplayer it's heaven. I would suggest the rest of
you get motivated to qualifiy for the next event as this thing is
awesome.

3. THE AAG 'ÓLYMPIC' VILLAGE

This is where all the Bim Dhawo stuff begins. Oh boy...this has been
an adventure!!

Ok let me explain it chronilogically.

Arrival at Airport on Sunday Morning: Going through customs was a
breeze. We were treated like VIP and exited in record time...10
minutes...I kid you not...that's all the time it took from getting out
of the plane (after a rather scary landing experience with the plane
bumping around etc), claiming da luggage, passport check and getting
to the super luxury bus dedicated exclusively to the chess team.

Arrival at Olympic Village Sunday Midday: The village where the
athletes from all over Africa stay is a sprawling giant thing. Jesus,
it''s big. The newly built main stadium, aquatic stadium, dinning
place etc are all located within the vicinity. The whole place is like
a small town in itself. It's about 20km away from downtown Maputo.
It's well built, the rooms are spacious etc. Only problem was we were
amongst the first batches of athletes to arrive and the village was
not yet packed to capacity. The main contigents of the other countries
were yet to arrive. This fooled us into thinking we were in a real
cool place.

Sunday Afternoon & the chess team splits: There was an issue with
accomodation as it transpired that team Kenya (all sports disciplines)
could not fit everyone. So the ladies got a room whilst the men were
told to wait. So we waited by checking out the neighbourhood etc and
then four of us (Gorilla, G, Akello and Isabella) went to watch the
boxing which was in town. I will digress here and tell you about the
transport. First of all the Mozambique road infrastructure is simply
awesome. Even though Kenya is building all the flyovers and stuff we
are still no where near the mozambique level (internet is a different
thing). The AAG organisers have dedicated buses to all countries
individually. These are not your usual buses. They are more like 5
star spaceships. Even Horizon bus cannot compare. So we took one of
these to get to town. Now, if you thought watching boxing was boring
think again. On TV it looks soft. But I dare you to watch it in real
life and you'll realise this is a gruesome, bloody, violent and
addictive sport. Oh man, watching two guys kill each other is
incomparable entertainment. The boxing stadium was packed and the
noise level were at the level of the "deafening champ". We saw some of
our Kenyan boxers in action. I think one punch from any of these
boxing patzers would kill me. This guys are tough. When a guy punches
you can hear that punch from 20 meters away and smell the sweat and
blood. I am going to be going for all boxing matches at city hall from
now on.

Ok, so the boxing ended around 10pm and we made our way back to the
olympic village. When we got there all the other chessers had
disappeared!! Plus we didn't know our rooms...in fact we were told we
didn't have any rooms and to fend for ourselves!! With no mobile
contact we had no clue where the others were. After hustiling some
info we were told they had been relocated but us four left behind. The
Kenya sailing team, who turned out to be three good samaritans,
volunteered to give us a place in their room. Then we headed for a
late dinner at 12 midnight. On reaching the gigantic canteen all hell
broke lose as all the sports that were finishing at night and all the
athleted that checked in for late dinner like us (a couple of hundred)
found no food and long lines and the whole place became WWF. Guys like
me and Githinji almost had to duck under tables as massive amounts of
testestorone were unleashed. We grabbed whatever food we could get
hold off and got the hell of there.

We went to sleep at 4am.

The following day, due to the general chaos in the AAG organisation
(if you though CK was bad, you aint seen nothing), Kenya was almost
kicked out of the chess event because TM and coach did not realise the
deadline for registration was Monday morning. Therefore it turned out
that us four being 'lost' was a blessing in disguise as the others
were someplace else whilst at the olympic village we got wind that
registration deadline was at hand. Akello, Githinji and I got the
neccessary forms filled and signed etc. It turned out the arbiters
whilst very angry with us were also understanding and pretty cool
people. The event was to start on monday but just because of Kenya
they delayed till yesterday!!!

The next day, by pure luck the chess team got together.

We were relocated to a place 90 km out of Maputo and an hours drive
from the venue. The new location is a swanky 4 star hotel just on the
border of Mozambique and SA. We are very happy here.

Now, you might be asking how in the world do we get to the venue so
far out. Well, the AAG organisers whilst having problems with the
olympic village diablos as pretty efficient is some respects. The
chess team has been given an exclusive bus...a 60 seater 5 star
spaceship which takes us to and fro. That's not all, in order to cut
through traffic etc as fast as possible, we get a cop car in front of
us with the flashing lights and all telling people to get out of the
way whilst out bus cruises behind it...just like a presidential
escort!!

More laters....sorry for any typos...had to type fast.........

All African Games Kenyan Contigent

Chess was the last discipline to name it's team to the AAG. After a two day marathon the old dogs of Kenyan chess made it to the finals.

Men’s Team:

Part of the men's team during a previous event.

1. Mehul Gohil
2. Martin Gateri
3. Joseph Atwoli
4. Ben Magana
5. Githinji Hinga (reserve)

Women’s Team:

1. Isabelle Asiema
2. Rehema Kimulu
3. Gweyani Jumba
4. Purity Gachigi
5. Rose Wabuti (reserve)

Team Manager: Francis Ngesa

Team Coach: John Mukabi

Steve Ouma Sets The Record Staight

After too much mud slinging Steve ouma finally gives his point of view.

By Steve Ouma

My fellow Chess players:

I believe all of us know that prolonged lie sometimes sound like truth. Also it has been believed that silent means concurring with whatever has been said. I want to take this moment to set the records straight.

1. On the allegations from John Mukabi whom I used to have alot of respect for him that Larry and I have been organizing Junior events and pocketing the Money, Ladies and Gentlemen this is false since the Youth Committee has been running Junior events since the Year 2009 and the treasurers to the accounts have been parents, all the records of the tournaments are intact and will be presented to the auditors, furthermore to withdraw the money from the accounts all the three signatories must sign.

2. On the allegation that Larry and Steve were opposed to the opening of the Youth Account, this is false because it is on record that I am the one who pushed for a separate account that can be handled by parents for transparency.

3. On the allegation that I went to the Commissioner to ask for an Air ticket, this is false as I never requested for a single ticket from the government , in addition there was no ticket given.

4. On the allegation that the last tournament raised a lot of money and we pocketed and that expenses were amounting to Ksh 5,000, this is false because just to give you a brief of the expenses: venue alone cost us Ksh 14,000, Trophies Over Ksh 16,000, Certificates to all participants over Ksh 4,000 just to mention but a few.

My fellow players, I personally tried to respond to this by directly trying to call Mukabi, but as always the guilt are afraid, he did not receive my call, I was within my rights to call him because I believed that what he had tried to do was to give malice information which is meant to Character assassinate me and to portray me negatively in public. I did not issue any threats since Issuing threat is an of fence and he should report to the police. All I told him which I can confidently repeat it is that I may consider legal redress, I have the whole conversation with Him. I have never responded to previous allegation not that because I am guilt but I was hoping that most of us will be able to differentiate between malice and truth.

Chessmen and ladies, I may not be in office tomorrow, we should not burn bridges as we will need each other in some other areas. Eg. You may need me during transition since I am in charge of youth activities. Mukabi also had said that Larry and myself are doing this for personal gain, it is no secret I am a qualified Fide Instructor ( FI) as well as Fide Arbiter F.A.

It is therefore within my rights to organize events and to train just like in other sports there are coaches and referees who earn their living from there careers of coaching, I am proud to let you know that I earn my living from chess training, I am a professional chess trainer, let us not belittle the sport we passionately love. I will continue to protect my rights as a Kenyan Citizen even if it means Legal redress. Fellow players and stake holders lets sober up in our opinions towards developing this sport and avoid hatred. lets respect FIDE slogan: Gens una sumus: we are one family.

All African Games Dilemma

The current salemate about Chess Kenya leadearship seems to have placed the inclusion of a chess team at the forthcoming AAG in a quandary. Some sources claim that the Kenya National Sports Council has told CK to put its house in order before a chess team can be included while CK is sending letters to players informing that the qualifiers are still on. Let us wait and see

The Tragedy Of Chess Kenya

The new chess season is about to begin but who is really managing kenyan chess? CK did not hold the national championships last year: They were too busy minting 'Tritonite' kids money. With the All African games nearby the scent of more cash is irresisteble.

By Edwin Korir

Chess kenya has finally released its program of events for the calendar year 2011. The document signed by the chess kenya secretariat is bound to upset many local players due to the fact that most players consider the current office holders illegal. The Kenya national sports council has organized two meetings in the past to arbitrate the matter. On both occasions the meetings ended in a stalemate or a +/- advantage for Chess Kenya.

The first meeting in December nearly ended in a fist fight while another one held last month failed to take off due to the abscence of the CK officials. While chess players have been insisting that all players who participated in the national chess league should be allowed to vote in the AGM, CK on its part has been consistent that only registered members will vote. Most Senior chess players are not members of CK but are members of chess clubs registred with CK. Majority of CK members are juniors of kenyan Asians (mostly reffered to as 'tritonites').

The parents of this kids are not intrested in development of chess in kenya but the development of the childrens brains and a few junior international tournaments that CK seems to be a specialist at. The children start playing chess at early age but when they turn 18, they simply evaporate. The current kenyan chess scene has only one senior 'tritonite' ( no pun intened). Because most of kenyan Asian parents have no qualms about paying CK fees, CK has metarmophosed into some sort of chess day care centre.

In the December AGM comical discussions were held at the kenya chess forum. Several scenarios emerged with a possibility of six and seven year old kids electing the new CK officals. Alas, this dommsday scenario never took-off. Senior chess players having been abandonded by their parents have been forced to scavenge for themselves to avoid chess starvation. Several initiatives have been put in place to ensure chess food is put on the table. Checkmates club, Nairobi chess club and others have been organizing rapid and blitz championship on a regular basis. No G+90 tournament has taken place though.

With no proper body to organize tournaments all kinds of titles are mushrooming. Kenya blitz champion ( which seems to be contested everyday, EA blitz championships et al). As Wachira aptly puts it "chess is the hardest habit to kick", senoir players have been orgazing tournaments and in a positive note some are now held online.

The only serious activity CK has been undertaking for senior chess is anything that seems to have financial gain for them. First, the National chess league(bucause teams have to register to play=MONEY). Most clubs playing in the league are institutional teams that will pay CK fees with no questions asked. Secondly, the chess olympiad ( the official CK cash cow). Monetary gains from this event are immense; bribes from FIDE cadidates for votes, goverment subsidies, donations and many more.

The caveat emptor most kenyan players are sensing in the newly released CK calendar is money. With the all african games around the coner and the goverment having allocated Ksh 130,000 to each federation CK -get rich or die trying- scheme can be smelt from far.

CK real major failure has been to put in place a rating system. The last one was managed by Ben Magana until he stopped. Several players are trying their own versions of the same. With so many free rating software online one can only imagine why CK is not intrested. Another option would be to outsource the same to an individual or an ICT company, but because this involves use of money it will never happen.

CK failure to hold a national championship last year was to say the least disatrous. The kenya open has not been held for three years. With this and much more we should expect very hard times ahead.