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Showing posts with label kenyan chess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kenyan chess. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Two interesting articles
A history of cheating from chessbase
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Random Thoughts
1. In the recently concluded Kenya Open it was more like Nairobi open. Where are all those other players from ouside Nairobi??
2. Saif Kanini is the only player ever to win an Olympiad medal(silver) for kenya in 1980.
3. Where is Mathew Kanegeni?
Blessed june to you all
2. Saif Kanini is the only player ever to win an Olympiad medal(silver) for kenya in 1980.
3. Where is Mathew Kanegeni?
Blessed june to you all
Monday, June 30, 2008
KENYA SELECTS YOUTH TEAM
Chess Kenya has picked a team of eight boys and eight girls to represent the country in the World Youth Chess Championship slated for Vietnam from October 19 to 31.
The players were picked in the final trials at the Oshwal Academy Nairobi School on June 8. The first selection was in February at Premier Academy where eight boys and same number of girls in each age group were selected.
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Kenya will be represented in the following categories: under-8, under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18.
Steve Ouma who is in charge of youth chess said on Wednesday that there was a tie in the boys under in the boys under-14 between Ankush Nagba (Premier Academy) and Rahul Mohan (Oshwal Nairobi Primary). A rematch has been organised for the two next Saturday at Nairobi Chess Academy.
Peniel Weru, a 10-year old pupil at Brookfield Academy in Karatina qualified in the boy's under-12 group. It was not smooth sailing for Weru who was beaten to second place by Collins Apiri of Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, in the national championship cum in February.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
ATEKA WINS NAKURU OPEN
The rift valley open took place on the 17th and 18th may at the midlands hotel. over 30 players converged for the 2 day event on a very serene enviroment.Nathan ateka won the tournament with a score of 5/6. Givans amunga was joint second. But young boy ANEURIN HOWORTH was the suprise crushing many players including Magana and drawing with Atwolli.
Nathan Ateka
By Ben Magana
Coastal fisherman Nathan Mukaka Ateka and long-lost Kitale veteran Givans Amunga emerged tops with 5 / 6 at the RVM-sponsored Nakuru open held at Midlands Hotel over the weekend. Consequently, they pocketed 7500 apiece. Ateka played creative and impressive chess, a far cry from his lacklustre form at the recently-concluded olympiad qualifiers. The man even throws in a sac or two nowadays for the fans! Nathan was the only unbeaten player among the 30-odd participants.
Givans played common-sense chess, and displayed fine judgement in his games. He lost only once to the pathetically hapless and chronically weak Ben Magana in a game where Amunga missed a win. Tied in 3rd place were Ken Omolo, Wang'ombe Mugo, Beast of the Earth Mukabi and Steve Ouma. They each had 4.5 / 6 and digested 875/= each.It was heart-break hotel for the Benz-driving Omolo: up to round 5, he was in the sole lead with 4.5. In the ultimate round, he faced the wily Amunga. The Son of Kitale convingly accounted for Omolo's King's Indian defence. In the end, Ken had to refocus his mind from thinking of 10k first prize to getting 875, only enough to buy a coupla Bamba 50's and 2 samosas at Checkmates club.Beast of the Earth exhibited remarkable resilience to win a prize after being tortured into submission by UoN's George Mwangi.
Steve Ouma and his NBK teammate Mugo played solid chess to show that NBK are no pushovers in the league. Kenya #1 pretender Ben Magnum lost thrice - to whippersnapper George Mwangi, to Deputy Nyahururu mayor Nduhiu, and to 13-year old wunderkid Aneurin Howarth. I was amazed at how strong this young boy is. He managed, with Black, to win an exchange, before corralling a loose bishop. According to CK,thea r equally strong juniors out there (Rahul Mohan & Ankush Nagda) capable of hurting established seniors. So the future of Kenyan chess is bright?! PS:madman Ivanchuk won MTel event in Bulgaria ahead of my man Topalov. Topalov & I seem 2b having network shida, but we'l b bak!
Final standings
No. Name Score
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. NATHAN ATEKA 5.0
2. GIVANS AMUNGA 5.0 3.
3 KENNETH OMOLO 4.5
4. STEVE OUMA 4.5
5. JOHN MUKABI 4.5
6. WANGOMBE MUGO 4.5
7. 13 GEORGE MWANGI 4.0
8. ANEURIN HOWORTH 4.0
9. DOUGLAS AMBATSA 4.0
10. AKELLO ATWOLI 3.5
11. EDWIN KORIR 3.5
12. 9 FAUD FARAH 3.0
13. BENJAMIN MAGANA 3.0
14. GITHINJI HINGA 3.0
15. GODFREY GATHENDU 3.0
16. TIMOTHY NDUHIU 3.0
17. SAMUEL MAKUMI 3.0
18. MUKHTAR SHEIKH NUR 3.0
19 TERENCE CHAZIMA 3.0
20. 14 RICKY SANG 2.5
21. CALEB NYAGWAYA 2.5
22. JUMA MWAGUYA 2.5
23. 5 PHILIP MWASHE 2.0
24. HESBON OMANJO 2.0
25. TOM MULUMIA 2.0 26.
26. KEVIN KISALI 1.5
27. 29 ALNOOR AMLANI 1.0
28 ALEEM MERALI 1.0
29 JOSHUA PLEKWA 1.0
30. BENJAMIN GITHUMBI 1.0
31. 16 CLEMENT MIHESO 0.0
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
AKELLO WINS GYMKHANA TOURNAMENT
BRAVO ATWOLLI!!
Akello Atwoli far left and the Kenyan contingent to the all African games in July.
Akello atwoli is showing the old boys that their time is up. The university of nairobi student won the Kim Bahri organized event at the Nairobi gymkhana ahead of veterans like Ben Magana and Mehul Gohil.Akello should be proud but i used to "karanga" him like a patzer 2 years ago.
Akello Atwoli far left and the Kenyan contingent to the all African games in July.
Akello atwoli is showing the old boys that their time is up. The university of nairobi student won the Kim Bahri organized event at the Nairobi gymkhana ahead of veterans like Ben Magana and Mehul Gohil.Akello should be proud but i used to "karanga" him like a patzer 2 years ago.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
MALOBA'S, BAHRI'S TAKE ON THE STATE OF KENYAN CHESS
One of the Kenyan chess players i have so much respect for is Paul Maloba. He is the one who started the Kenya chess forum, went to the streets and unearthed a new breed of chess players e.t.c. so when he speaks i turn to listen. Here is his take on the recent discussion on the way forward for Kenyan chess.
Kim Bahri initially commented this on this chess blog:
I had promised myself not to get involved in chess politics after 1999 but after 8 years I see the same issue. Chess players in Kenya are just trying to dig a hole in water. I have gone through the constitution and found it to be a much better document than the one we had many years ago. Why waste so much time and energy doing another constitution?? We are writing a new constitution to fit chess players who have ignored the current one. Will the new one be followed. Never , Never Never. Turmoil will continue as it has since the first chairman was there. His name was Mr Sikand by the way.
The way forward is as follows;
1 The National chess league be set up by teams paying the membership fee that is set out in the constitution ie Ksh 15k for corporates and 5k for non corporates.
2. The school league be set up with the schools paying Ksh 5k
3. The provincial branches for Nyanza, Nairobi and Rift valley can be set up without much effort. We have Shakeel in Kisumu, Korir in Eldoret and we have many people for the Nairobi Province.
4 CK should co-opt two people into the committee to help in organizing these two leagues which are LONG LONG overdue
5. The elections are then held under the new constitution in Feb 2008 by which time the league is well underway.
6. Only authorized delegates will then be allowed into the voting hall. This idea of all chess players turning up at AGM is completely wrong. Can you imagine all hockey players going to city park for elections. the Riot police will clobber all you little pawns and chase you back to your Rooks. Or Kasparov and Karpov going for the Russian Chess Federation AGM. Guys let us be serious.
Guys the game of chess is suffering. Sponsors are not interested in fancy documents they want to see action on the board. the silent majority want to castle long, castle short, capture, check and checkmate!
I will be sending a letter of protest to the sports council on how they have handled this affair.
Paul Maloba's take:
I must admit that it makes a really sad reading I read mail of people complaining (quite positive) but shy away when it comes to forging the way forward (yaliyopita si ndwele).
problem two with us comes with walking the talk!! which is most important.
These ideas are brilliant, I hope whatever office in place will not forget them. also in addition to Ambasi's ideas below...
Goals would include the following:
i) When do we target to have a Grand Master? How much do we think it will take. If we are to seek sponsorship for the same, how much would we be asking for?
ii) Revival of the national league,
iii) Chess in schools
iv) coverage of Chess in the press.
v) having international arbiters from Kenya
vi) making Chess an employer.
When an incumbent offices focuses on such issues then we will make great progress
what I disagree with you however is the tagging of this idea to the incumbent office. Expecting this office to act in my opinion will be a tall order, this year we have seen very little (at least junior championships haven't suffered as much- lets just hope there will be continuity and they'll grow to be strong GMs).
Leadership takes ownership and working with the team (in office), marshaling resources to see ideas through. I was really saddened by the cancellation of Neils tournament, together with Magana we tried making sense of the two camps because noise that halts the game is unproductive. Whatever the reasons that CK might have had, this tournament would've been a great plus to them and more importantly to chess. My point is I doubt the current office can pull this ideas off.
Contrary to what Mehul says, the current constitution looks ok on membership, and payment of Sh.2,400 for a period of 1 year is manageable. Unfortunately the current situation is that there is zero activity, so there is no incentive to pay, but with leagues setup and frequent tournaments you are either a member or you are not a chess player! this should be the ideal situation and perhaps we should include this clause for membership qualification.
why did everyone show up for the AGM? to answer Kim, we love chess and we needed action injected, we couldn't just sit at home and expect things to be different (plus Obutu saga). but you guys were not paid up members...? yes we weren't but we are stakeholders all the same, we couldn't just complain and sit on our backs.
I greatly disagree with you Kim that you'll complain to sports council (so how will this help chess? or how will it not help chess?)- lets not forget that its such actions that stopped previous chess sponsorships, Further more the resolution to to amend the constitution was reached by members present and the current office (This was quite mature of the current office unlike th saga experienced in the past according to memoirs of Mukabi) SC was just a mediator. The idea is to improve things not to worsen them.
lastly I'd like to point out the obsession of Mehul to Kim and Rodriguez, yes they had success in tournaments, but this doesn't mean that only them can do the job, they had negatives too!
In my opinion, having them run (with executive authority) tournament or league projects would be a great idea.
Otherwise the organization for the tournament on Saturday is noble, and am looking forward to flex my muscles against the high and mighty, the problem with weak tournaments is that you have the first two easy rounds, two rounds that follow are fought then the last two are fixed: you actually end playing two rounds only. Perhaps next time a rating list can be used for invitation and thus Khaduli, Me (I applied for a wild card),George Mwangi,Jonah,Isoe... etc wouldn't be missing and thus make it stronger.
Kim Bahri initially commented this on this chess blog:
I had promised myself not to get involved in chess politics after 1999 but after 8 years I see the same issue. Chess players in Kenya are just trying to dig a hole in water. I have gone through the constitution and found it to be a much better document than the one we had many years ago. Why waste so much time and energy doing another constitution?? We are writing a new constitution to fit chess players who have ignored the current one. Will the new one be followed. Never , Never Never. Turmoil will continue as it has since the first chairman was there. His name was Mr Sikand by the way.
The way forward is as follows;
1 The National chess league be set up by teams paying the membership fee that is set out in the constitution ie Ksh 15k for corporates and 5k for non corporates.
2. The school league be set up with the schools paying Ksh 5k
3. The provincial branches for Nyanza, Nairobi and Rift valley can be set up without much effort. We have Shakeel in Kisumu, Korir in Eldoret and we have many people for the Nairobi Province.
4 CK should co-opt two people into the committee to help in organizing these two leagues which are LONG LONG overdue
5. The elections are then held under the new constitution in Feb 2008 by which time the league is well underway.
6. Only authorized delegates will then be allowed into the voting hall. This idea of all chess players turning up at AGM is completely wrong. Can you imagine all hockey players going to city park for elections. the Riot police will clobber all you little pawns and chase you back to your Rooks. Or Kasparov and Karpov going for the Russian Chess Federation AGM. Guys let us be serious.
Guys the game of chess is suffering. Sponsors are not interested in fancy documents they want to see action on the board. the silent majority want to castle long, castle short, capture, check and checkmate!
I will be sending a letter of protest to the sports council on how they have handled this affair.
Paul Maloba's take:
I must admit that it makes a really sad reading I read mail of people complaining (quite positive) but shy away when it comes to forging the way forward (yaliyopita si ndwele).
problem two with us comes with walking the talk!! which is most important.
These ideas are brilliant, I hope whatever office in place will not forget them. also in addition to Ambasi's ideas below...
Goals would include the following:
i) When do we target to have a Grand Master? How much do we think it will take. If we are to seek sponsorship for the same, how much would we be asking for?
ii) Revival of the national league,
iii) Chess in schools
iv) coverage of Chess in the press.
v) having international arbiters from Kenya
vi) making Chess an employer.
When an incumbent offices focuses on such issues then we will make great progress
what I disagree with you however is the tagging of this idea to the incumbent office. Expecting this office to act in my opinion will be a tall order, this year we have seen very little (at least junior championships haven't suffered as much- lets just hope there will be continuity and they'll grow to be strong GMs).
Leadership takes ownership and working with the team (in office), marshaling resources to see ideas through. I was really saddened by the cancellation of Neils tournament, together with Magana we tried making sense of the two camps because noise that halts the game is unproductive. Whatever the reasons that CK might have had, this tournament would've been a great plus to them and more importantly to chess. My point is I doubt the current office can pull this ideas off.
Contrary to what Mehul says, the current constitution looks ok on membership, and payment of Sh.2,400 for a period of 1 year is manageable. Unfortunately the current situation is that there is zero activity, so there is no incentive to pay, but with leagues setup and frequent tournaments you are either a member or you are not a chess player! this should be the ideal situation and perhaps we should include this clause for membership qualification.
why did everyone show up for the AGM? to answer Kim, we love chess and we needed action injected, we couldn't just sit at home and expect things to be different (plus Obutu saga). but you guys were not paid up members...? yes we weren't but we are stakeholders all the same, we couldn't just complain and sit on our backs.
I greatly disagree with you Kim that you'll complain to sports council
lastly I'd like to point out the obsession of Mehul to Kim and Rodriguez, yes they had success in tournaments, but this doesn't mean that only them can do the job, they had negatives too!
In my opinion, having them run (with executive authority) tournament or league projects would be a great idea.
Otherwise the organization for the tournament on Saturday is noble, and am looking forward to flex my muscles against the high and mighty, the problem with weak tournaments is that you have the first two easy rounds, two rounds that follow are fought then the last two are fixed: you actually end playing two rounds only. Perhaps next time a rating list can be used for invitation and thus Khaduli, Me (I applied for a wild card),George Mwangi,Jonah,Isoe... etc wouldn't be missing and thus make it stronger.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
A SHORT HISTORY OF KENYAN CHESS
As we approach the chess Kenya AGM, john mukabi has gone down memory lane to bring us up to date with some history of Kenyan chess. Enjoy this wonderful reading from the beast.
John Mukabi with Nigel short.
By John 'the beast' mukabi
The association (formerly Kenya Chess Association) was formed some 31 years ago this month in September 1976. I was in primary school then!?
1976-197?: An Asian descent man whom little is known ran it til late '70s. It is reported the association was too new to go to the Olympiad that year in Argentina.
1979?-1989: Madan Gopal Sharma a famous lawyer. I arrived in the scene around 1982 to find an aura of secrecy regarding who other officials were. It was like a "state secret". Clement Miheso and Alslam Adam (now in England) were visible "officials" in tournaments.
Olympiad teams were handpicked from tournament results used to get airtickets easily & mysteriously through MG as he was known via FIDE and Kenya National Sports Council. It is said he was their lawyer.
At the time Aluta Chess Club ( from French aluta continua or "the struggle continues") came about to counter Nairobi Chess Club which was mainly Asians and Whites.
Largest tournement was Pan Paper Open (now Kenya Open) brought by Nairobi Chess Club (1979-1992). Aluta brought in ART (African Retail Traders) Open 1984 to early '90s.
The chess league was nationwide in Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri and Webuye mainly 1986-1990. Had about 15 teams mostly financial institions. So vibrant was chess that toournaments had upto 120 players.
International Master Lodewijk Prins (Holland), a Hungarian IM and GM Jaime Sunya Neto visted Kenya for simuls between 1986 and 1989. Also former Junior British Champ Allan Baker came finishing 2nd behing Uganda's Emmanuel Kabuye.
Juniors Peter Kihara and William Juma Arogo represented Kenya in Lagos, Nigeria, with Juma coming second!
1989-1992: Clement Miheso came in with the Esso School Championships which were in Nakuru, Mombasa and Nairobi. An annual event til 1993. As a result FIDE awarded Nairobi the African Junior Championship in 1992 and 1993. Aderito Pedro of Angola won the 1993 edition.
Also in the event among Kenyans were Matthew Kanegeni and Evanson Mwangi.
1990 saw Kenya play in first FIDE rated in Kampala where Lawrence Kagambi (present CK Secretary played). I got ELO 2215. William Juma again went for the junior event in Harare, Zimbabwe, same year.
Miheso began to get corrupt so much that he gave bouncing cheques to winners of Panpaper. Players camped at the sponsors' office. Panpaper withdrew for good!
It so happened by then that Miheso controlled bank accounts of KCA, Aluta and Nairobi CC and reported to have have bought a car from one of the two FIDE events.He was kicked out by a landslide in 1993 elections.
1993-1996: The late Tom Sagwe who was MD at ART and among founding fathers of Aluta took over. He was largely absent concentrating on politics leaving all the spadework to his vice Francis Caetano Rodriguez.
Kenya held and international 1993 Africa Juniors under new office and alongside it staged an International Open which was 1-2-3 won by Angolans among them IM Nascimento.
I was sent to the Africa Individual Mens' Championship by KCA in Cairo, Egypt. KNSC supplied the airticket. The Panpaper changed its name to Kenya Open. The 1993 edition at Braeburn School had highest number of entries in East and Central Africa at 250!
By this time, the Kenyan economy was limping while the Goldenberg affair (unknown to the public at the time) quietly went on. Sponsors were hard to come by. This saw Kenya miss out for the first time from the world chess Olympiads - 1992, 1994 and 1996.
This culminated in the 1994 Kenya Open fail to take place for the first time since 1979. However, great cal-IBM Kenya Open of 1995 at The Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi attracted about 150 players from Uganda and South Africa (Lyndon Bouah) among others.
I recall Daniels Lauritsen taking part and he placed 2nd or 3rd. In 1996 the Kenya Open at Nairobi Gymkhana was won by South African IM Watu Kobese followed by compatriot FM Shabbir Bhawoodien.
1996-1999: FCA Rodriguez was elected the new KCA chairman. Sponsorship was still a problem but after a lot of struggles, Kenya hosted the 1997 Africa Junior Championship won by 16-year-old Amon Simutowe of Zambia.
The office experienced a number of scams involving the selling of chess sets, literature and clocks donated by FIDE and the German government. Also, the Indian Ocean Olympiad scam where some officials and their spouses went to represent Kenya in Reunion or Mauritius!
Meanwhile, Kenya was being represented in the Africa Individual Mens 1996/1997 by Humphrey Andolo, the late Alexander Makatia, Joseph Kanyingi, Ben Magana and Kenneth Omolo.
In bid to make amends, the office managed to send a team to the Olympiad in 1998 in Elista, Kalmykia, Russia. This was not enough to save them from wrath of players who voted them out in 1999.
1999-2003: In came Lincoln Njenga elected at AGM after postponement due to membership crisis AGAIN! He started off very strongly only to fade off as usual like his predecessors.
First was to set Kenya Anti Corruption Authority (KACA) on the FCA Rodriguez and company on all assets with documentary evidence. FCA "submerged", even appearing to change residence and recovery was in vain.
It further emerged that previous office maintained oddly two bank accounts at Biashara Bank - one where the treasurer was a signatory and other where he was not even aware! Approximately KShs 90,000/= was withdrawn days before the AGM which threw them out.
Anyway, Njenga's watch saw the highest prize monies in KCA's history. Started with the great Eldoret Open in 2000 organised in conjunction with Eldoret Chess Club. Top prize KShs. 40,000/= (was meant to be KShs 100,000/= but some sponsors did not honour pledge).
Then came the much talked about Tusker Malt Open by Kenya Breweries the same year in September at The Stanley. Top prize was KShs. 40,000/= though overall sponsorship was KShs 800,000/=.
It was awarded best organised tournament by FIDE with aggressive marketing in the print and electronic media, banners on main streets, etc. Opening ceremony featured dancers on a giant chessboard like many Olympiads. Challengers section was introduced to Kenyan chess.
The Istanbul (Turkey) Olympiad of 2000 was partly sponsored by Kenya Breweries and for the first time in years no players were asked chip in for their airtickets.
The Regional event in 1991 was the highest of cash prizes with top getting KShs 50,000/= won by Bob Bibasa of Uganda. The youth programes were revived for both primary schools and secondary with sponsors Athi River Mining Company (Rhino Cement) and Fidelity Commercial Bank for two years. Juniors were sent every year to world events as a result.
The national league, which seems to have disappeared large scale with Miheso in early '90s, was revived for one season attracting about ten teams. The Monthly Mug Rapids were also introduced but died out after months.
Problems started when no major tournament was organised by CK in 2002 leading to agitation of the office's removal. Only four players were sent to Olympiad of 2002 in Bled, Slovenia, Rhino Cement pulled out of primary schools training program, etc.
Despite being the first office to present fully audited accounts in the AGM of 2003, the wave was too much leading to the new office being voted in. Again, the membership problem surfaced!
2003-????: Stanley Luruti who was last in chess in 1991 with ICIPE Chess club was voted in as chairman with a narrow win over Fred Nabangi.
As you all know he appears to be largely absent but his watch revived a magazine for the association which went on for a year then faded. The rest I leave to you to judge in the coming AGM.
John Mukabi with Nigel short.
By John 'the beast' mukabi
The association (formerly Kenya Chess Association) was formed some 31 years ago this month in September 1976. I was in primary school then!?
1976-197?: An Asian descent man whom little is known ran it til late '70s. It is reported the association was too new to go to the Olympiad that year in Argentina.
1979?-1989: Madan Gopal Sharma a famous lawyer. I arrived in the scene around 1982 to find an aura of secrecy regarding who other officials were. It was like a "state secret". Clement Miheso and Alslam Adam (now in England) were visible "officials" in tournaments.
Olympiad teams were handpicked from tournament results used to get airtickets easily & mysteriously through MG as he was known via FIDE and Kenya National Sports Council. It is said he was their lawyer.
At the time Aluta Chess Club ( from French aluta continua or "the struggle continues") came about to counter Nairobi Chess Club which was mainly Asians and Whites.
Largest tournement was Pan Paper Open (now Kenya Open) brought by Nairobi Chess Club (1979-1992). Aluta brought in ART (African Retail Traders) Open 1984 to early '90s.
The chess league was nationwide in Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri and Webuye mainly 1986-1990. Had about 15 teams mostly financial institions. So vibrant was chess that toournaments had upto 120 players.
International Master Lodewijk Prins (Holland), a Hungarian IM and GM Jaime Sunya Neto visted Kenya for simuls between 1986 and 1989. Also former Junior British Champ Allan Baker came finishing 2nd behing Uganda's Emmanuel Kabuye.
Juniors Peter Kihara and William Juma Arogo represented Kenya in Lagos, Nigeria, with Juma coming second!
1989-1992: Clement Miheso came in with the Esso School Championships which were in Nakuru, Mombasa and Nairobi. An annual event til 1993. As a result FIDE awarded Nairobi the African Junior Championship in 1992 and 1993. Aderito Pedro of Angola won the 1993 edition.
Also in the event among Kenyans were Matthew Kanegeni and Evanson Mwangi.
1990 saw Kenya play in first FIDE rated in Kampala where Lawrence Kagambi (present CK Secretary played). I got ELO 2215. William Juma again went for the junior event in Harare, Zimbabwe, same year.
Miheso began to get corrupt so much that he gave bouncing cheques to winners of Panpaper. Players camped at the sponsors' office. Panpaper withdrew for good!
It so happened by then that Miheso controlled bank accounts of KCA, Aluta and Nairobi CC and reported to have have bought a car from one of the two FIDE events.He was kicked out by a landslide in 1993 elections.
1993-1996: The late Tom Sagwe who was MD at ART and among founding fathers of Aluta took over. He was largely absent concentrating on politics leaving all the spadework to his vice Francis Caetano Rodriguez.
Kenya held and international 1993 Africa Juniors under new office and alongside it staged an International Open which was 1-2-3 won by Angolans among them IM Nascimento.
I was sent to the Africa Individual Mens' Championship by KCA in Cairo, Egypt. KNSC supplied the airticket. The Panpaper changed its name to Kenya Open. The 1993 edition at Braeburn School had highest number of entries in East and Central Africa at 250!
By this time, the Kenyan economy was limping while the Goldenberg affair (unknown to the public at the time) quietly went on. Sponsors were hard to come by. This saw Kenya miss out for the first time from the world chess Olympiads - 1992, 1994 and 1996.
This culminated in the 1994 Kenya Open fail to take place for the first time since 1979. However, great cal-IBM Kenya Open of 1995 at The Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi attracted about 150 players from Uganda and South Africa (Lyndon Bouah) among others.
I recall Daniels Lauritsen taking part and he placed 2nd or 3rd. In 1996 the Kenya Open at Nairobi Gymkhana was won by South African IM Watu Kobese followed by compatriot FM Shabbir Bhawoodien.
1996-1999: FCA Rodriguez was elected the new KCA chairman. Sponsorship was still a problem but after a lot of struggles, Kenya hosted the 1997 Africa Junior Championship won by 16-year-old Amon Simutowe of Zambia.
The office experienced a number of scams involving the selling of chess sets, literature and clocks donated by FIDE and the German government. Also, the Indian Ocean Olympiad scam where some officials and their spouses went to represent Kenya in Reunion or Mauritius!
Meanwhile, Kenya was being represented in the Africa Individual Mens 1996/1997 by Humphrey Andolo, the late Alexander Makatia, Joseph Kanyingi, Ben Magana and Kenneth Omolo.
In bid to make amends, the office managed to send a team to the Olympiad in 1998 in Elista, Kalmykia, Russia. This was not enough to save them from wrath of players who voted them out in 1999.
1999-2003: In came Lincoln Njenga elected at AGM after postponement due to membership crisis AGAIN! He started off very strongly only to fade off as usual like his predecessors.
First was to set Kenya Anti Corruption Authority (KACA) on the FCA Rodriguez and company on all assets with documentary evidence. FCA "submerged", even appearing to change residence and recovery was in vain.
It further emerged that previous office maintained oddly two bank accounts at Biashara Bank - one where the treasurer was a signatory and other where he was not even aware! Approximately KShs 90,000/= was withdrawn days before the AGM which threw them out.
Anyway, Njenga's watch saw the highest prize monies in KCA's history. Started with the great Eldoret Open in 2000 organised in conjunction with Eldoret Chess Club. Top prize KShs. 40,000/= (was meant to be KShs 100,000/= but some sponsors did not honour pledge).
Then came the much talked about Tusker Malt Open by Kenya Breweries the same year in September at The Stanley. Top prize was KShs. 40,000/= though overall sponsorship was KShs 800,000/=.
It was awarded best organised tournament by FIDE with aggressive marketing in the print and electronic media, banners on main streets, etc. Opening ceremony featured dancers on a giant chessboard like many Olympiads. Challengers section was introduced to Kenyan chess.
The Istanbul (Turkey) Olympiad of 2000 was partly sponsored by Kenya Breweries and for the first time in years no players were asked chip in for their airtickets.
The Regional event in 1991 was the highest of cash prizes with top getting KShs 50,000/= won by Bob Bibasa of Uganda. The youth programes were revived for both primary schools and secondary with sponsors Athi River Mining Company (Rhino Cement) and Fidelity Commercial Bank for two years. Juniors were sent every year to world events as a result.
The national league, which seems to have disappeared large scale with Miheso in early '90s, was revived for one season attracting about ten teams. The Monthly Mug Rapids were also introduced but died out after months.
Problems started when no major tournament was organised by CK in 2002 leading to agitation of the office's removal. Only four players were sent to Olympiad of 2002 in Bled, Slovenia, Rhino Cement pulled out of primary schools training program, etc.
Despite being the first office to present fully audited accounts in the AGM of 2003, the wave was too much leading to the new office being voted in. Again, the membership problem surfaced!
2003-????: Stanley Luruti who was last in chess in 1991 with ICIPE Chess club was voted in as chairman with a narrow win over Fred Nabangi.
As you all know he appears to be largely absent but his watch revived a magazine for the association which went on for a year then faded. The rest I leave to you to judge in the coming AGM.
Friday, September 14, 2007
WHAT AILS KENYAN CHESS?
IN THE POPULAR KENYAN CHESS DISCUSSION FORUM, A LOT OF COMMENTS BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE HAVE BEEN POSTED. BUT THE LATEST POSTS BY ANOYNYMOUS KENYAN LADIES HAVE TAKEN THE HATE GAME A NOTCH HIGHER .READ IT ALL HERE
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
CHESS KENYA AGM AND ELECTIONS
Dear Members,
I refer you to the above subject and inform you that this year's Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday,22nd September 2007 at the Kenya National Sports Council's boardroom,Nyayo National Stadium starting at 10:00am.
The Agenda will be:
i) To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting
ii) To discuss and conclude any matters arising thereupon
iii) To receive and adopt the Report of the Chairperson,the Treasurer,and the Annual Statements of Accounts
iv) To hold elections for members of the Executive Committee
v) To Appoint the auditors for the Society
vi) To Adopt or reject any resolutions received by the General Secretary within at least fourteen(14) days' written notice in advance of the meeting
With warm regards,
Lawrence Kagambi
General Secretary
PS: Due to engagements related to the 9th All Africa Games,we could not convene the AGM as per the constitution and kindly ask you for your understanding.More information on the elections to be released soon.See attachment for upcoming events.
I refer you to the above subject and inform you that this year's Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday,22nd September 2007 at the Kenya National Sports Council's boardroom,Nyayo National Stadium starting at 10:00am.
The Agenda will be:
i) To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting
ii) To discuss and conclude any matters arising thereupon
iii) To receive and adopt the Report of the Chairperson,the Treasurer,and the Annual Statements of Accounts
iv) To hold elections for members of the Executive Committee
v) To Appoint the auditors for the Society
vi) To Adopt or reject any resolutions received by the General Secretary within at least fourteen(14) days' written notice in advance of the meeting
With warm regards,
Lawrence Kagambi
General Secretary
PS: Due to engagements related to the 9th All Africa Games,we could not convene the AGM as per the constitution and kindly ask you for your understanding.More information on the elections to be released soon.See attachment for upcoming events.
GM Amon Simutowe
Amon simutowe has become the first man from sub-saharn Africa to achive GM status. The zambezi shark achived this noble feat at the Euwe Stimulans.
more info:
The GM journey of Amon Simutowe
Simutowe is a GM
Amon Simutowe Biography
more info:
The GM journey of Amon Simutowe
Simutowe is a GM
Amon Simutowe Biography
Thursday, August 16, 2007
CHECKMATES RAPID OPEN TOURNAMENT
PRIZE BREAKDOWN
1st Prize: Kshs 5000/= + Trophy
2nd Prize: Kshs 3000/=
3rd Prize: Kshs 2000/=
All the above prizes are guaranteed
ENTRY FEE
Early payment (Before 9:00am 18th August)
KSHS 300/=
Late payment (After 9:00am 18th August)
KSHS 500/=
Payment of entry fees includes FREE LUNCH.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
7 Rounds Swiss System. 25min per game/per player.
TIMINGS
Round 1 will start at 10:00am SHARP. Please be warned that this timing is non-negotiable and Checkmates Chess Club will not follow the routine of other chess tournaments by beggining only when there is sufficient quorum. Even if only 3 players are present the tournament will kick off.Deadline for registering for ROUND 1 is 9:30am. Those who register later will be forced to miss round 1 and still have to pay the more expensive late entry fee of Kshs. 500/=. No nonsense on this issue will be tolerated.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
9:00am - 9:30am: Elections of club officials. *
9:30am - 10:00am: Pairings for RD1 and Players to discuss FIDE Rapid Rules.
10:00am - 1:00pm: RD 1 - RD 3
1:00pm - 2:00pm: Lunch
2:00pm - 6:00pm: RD 4 - RD 7
6:00pm - 6:30pm: Prize Giving
1st Prize: Kshs 5000/= + Trophy
2nd Prize: Kshs 3000/=
3rd Prize: Kshs 2000/=
All the above prizes are guaranteed
ENTRY FEE
Early payment (Before 9:00am 18th August)
KSHS 300/=
Late payment (After 9:00am 18th August)
KSHS 500/=
Payment of entry fees includes FREE LUNCH.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
7 Rounds Swiss System. 25min per game/per player.
TIMINGS
Round 1 will start at 10:00am SHARP. Please be warned that this timing is non-negotiable and Checkmates Chess Club will not follow the routine of other chess tournaments by beggining only when there is sufficient quorum. Even if only 3 players are present the tournament will kick off.Deadline for registering for ROUND 1 is 9:30am. Those who register later will be forced to miss round 1 and still have to pay the more expensive late entry fee of Kshs. 500/=. No nonsense on this issue will be tolerated.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
9:00am - 9:30am: Elections of club officials. *
9:30am - 10:00am: Pairings for RD1 and Players to discuss FIDE Rapid Rules.
10:00am - 1:00pm: RD 1 - RD 3
1:00pm - 2:00pm: Lunch
2:00pm - 6:00pm: RD 4 - RD 7
6:00pm - 6:30pm: Prize Giving
Saturday, August 11, 2007
STREET CHESS
With players who can mate George mwangi in a rapid game and some master drawculas in kenyan eastates who needs to read chess books. Paul maloba recently visited some kenyan Mtaa and if he thought being a kenyan number eleven would scare this street chess players he was in for a suprise.
Maloba and pals playing 'conventional chess'.
By paul Maloba
In my recent visit to Uhuru estate, Jeri, I met the real street chess.
a group of chess players, Geoffrey omondi- currently at Strathmore University, Bruno (The master drawer)- Am told he is more Drawcula than Singe, Ngunjiri Harry- Formerly of Moi University, Tom Amwai - formerly of Moi University, Jose and two other guys whos names I've forgotten.
theirs is street chess coz they dont play opening theory (due to lack of books - infact they are saying that this is their biggest undoing), there are no clocks but they play long games. these guys meet every day (its a club mtaani where anyone neighbour goes to play) informally at individual's homes and they have more thirst for the game than some of the mainstream chess players, their fear though is that the lack of books and theory will really be their undoing if they dare show up in tournaments.
I played Bruno (the drawcula) and I can ascertain that he is truly hard, if these guys show up in a tournament there will be some major upsets. George Mwangi played Geoffrey a rapid game in an armature tournament at UON last Saturday and he got Mated! (Geoffrey won the tournament with a 100 percent score- this happened to be his first tournament)
they have already made inquiries on boards (through the 1,000K Singe foundation boards) and clocks but most of all books. IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS, float them in.
these guys will be showing up at the Checkmated Tournament on 18th next weekend.
George Mwangi also told me of a group of street players existing at Kangemi (bordering and oftenly playing with Vet MED Students).
Chess has a chance to grow, and its already found in our Streets!!
Maloba and pals playing 'conventional chess'.
By paul Maloba
In my recent visit to Uhuru estate, Jeri, I met the real street chess.
a group of chess players, Geoffrey omondi- currently at Strathmore University, Bruno (The master drawer)- Am told he is more Drawcula than Singe, Ngunjiri Harry- Formerly of Moi University, Tom Amwai - formerly of Moi University, Jose and two other guys whos names I've forgotten.
theirs is street chess coz they dont play opening theory (due to lack of books - infact they are saying that this is their biggest undoing), there are no clocks but they play long games. these guys meet every day (its a club mtaani where anyone neighbour goes to play) informally at individual's homes and they have more thirst for the game than some of the mainstream chess players, their fear though is that the lack of books and theory will really be their undoing if they dare show up in tournaments.
I played Bruno (the drawcula) and I can ascertain that he is truly hard, if these guys show up in a tournament there will be some major upsets. George Mwangi played Geoffrey a rapid game in an armature tournament at UON last Saturday and he got Mated! (Geoffrey won the tournament with a 100 percent score- this happened to be his first tournament)
they have already made inquiries on boards (through the 1,000K Singe foundation boards) and clocks but most of all books. IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS, float them in.
these guys will be showing up at the Checkmated Tournament on 18th next weekend.
George Mwangi also told me of a group of street players existing at Kangemi (bordering and oftenly playing with Vet MED Students).
Chess has a chance to grow, and its already found in our Streets!!
Friday, July 20, 2007
ALL AFRICAN GAMES; The scores, the results and the drama
As Ben magana blazes the trail Steve Ouma is proving why his inclusion in the team was a mistake from the word go. But the drama does not end there, larry kagambi has come out of retirement to play chess for kenya!
With 9 rounds already played, Kenyan players have gone through their ups and downs in Algiers. All medal hopes have virtually disappeared with Egypt, Nigeria and Zambia most likely to pull of with the medals. Kenyan players have given a good account of themselves with nguku and Magana playing to good scores. Debutant Joseph atwoli has won one game in board 1. but Steve ouma is proving to be the disaster of the tournament with no win so far from 8 games but the real deal is that larry kagambi has come out of retirement to play chess for Kenya!
Round 1
KENYA 1 ZAMBIA 3 (12/07/07)
ATWOLI JOSEPH ½ ½ CHUMWA
MAGANA BEN 0 1 LUNGU
STEVE OUMA 0 1 DANIEL
NGUKU BEN 1/2 1/2 PHIRI
Poor start by Kenya but great performance by Awoli on board 1 and Nguku who just cant loose.
Round 2
SAO TOME 2.5 KENYA 1.5 (13/07/07)
ATWOLI JOSEPH 0 1 RIOPO
STEVE OUMA ½ ½ ERI
NGUKU BEN 1 0 DOS SAN TOS
MAGANA BEN 1 1 PHIRI
The demolition squad of nguku and Magana at their best.
Round 3
MOZAMBIQUE 2 KENYA2 (13/07/07)
ATWOLI JOSEPH 0 1 SILVA
NGUKU BEN 0 1 MIQUEL
MAGANA BEN 1 0 ALICE
NGUKU BEN 1 0 MAJA
All square
Round 4
ETHIOPIA 2 KENYA 2 (14/07/07)
SISAY 0 1 ATWOLI JOSEPH
BELLOW 1 0 STEVE OUMA
TEFERA 0 1 BEN NGUKU
GEPRA 1 0 BEN MAGANA
After Kenyan Ethiopian duels on the athletic track the war was taken to the chessboard and our chessmen were not about to disappoint us.
Round 5
KENYA 1.5 LIBYA 2.5 (15/7/07)
STEVE OUMA 0 1 ALI
BEN NGUKU ½ ½ MUSTAPHA
BEN MAGANA 1 0 HUSSEIN
KAGAMBI 0 1 ELRABI
The Libyans were a bit stronger as kagambi comes out of retirement.
Round 6
KENYA 0 NIGERIA 4 (17/7/07)
ATWOLI JOSEPH 0 1 ADIO
STEVE OUMA 0 1 ADEBAYO
BEN NGUKU 0 1 OLAPE
KAGAMBI 0 1 KOLADE
Oga! Dis nigerians
Round 7
KENYA 1.5 NAMIBIA 2.5 (17/07/07)
ATWOLI JOSEPH 0 1 BICHAB
STEVE OUMA ½ ½ TUPEJA
BEN MAGANA 1 0 OTTO
KAGAMBI 0 1 JOSEPH
Round 8
ANGOLA 2.5 KENYA 1.5
CAMPOS 1 0 ATWOLI
PETERO 1 0 OUMA
PASCAL ½ ½ NGUKU
ARMDO 0 1 MAGANA
Round 9
KENYA 0 ZIMBABWE 4
ATWOLI JOSEPH 0 1 OWAZ
NGUKU 0 1 FARAU
BEN MAGANA 0 1 MASANGO
KAGAMBI 0 1 MAKOTO
This Zimsmust be so good
THE SCORE CARD
So after 9 rounds the Kenyan players results are in. how did they perform
Ben Magana 5/8 (62.5%)
Ben nguku 3.5/8 (43.7%)
Kagambi 1/5 (20%)
Joseph atwoli 1.5/8 (18%)
Steve ouma 1/7 (14%)
The two bens are still reliable to lift Kenya up. Kudos to joseph atwoli on his international debut for such a performance in board 1. steve ouma is still the only player without a win (suprising?) and larry well I did not know he was in the Kenyan team.
ALL AFRICAN GAMES CHESS IN GENERAL
Adopted from THE CHESS DRUM
As the chess competition heads toward its last stages, medals are still in the balance at the 9th All-Africa Games. Currently, the Egyptian men's team holds a comfortable three-point lead after 10 rounds. Zambia is second on 28 while Nigeria is third on 25. In the last three rounds, Zambia gets a 0-point bye, São Tome & Principé (weakest) and Egypt (strongest). Their chances are very good, but Nigeria will have a slightly easier schedule with 0-point bye, Namibia, Angola. The South Africa men stand a chance to leap into medal contention since they are only 1½ points back and play Mozambique, Kenya and Ethiopia, all struggling teams. They could get all 12 points here, so I'm picking Egypt, South Africa and Zambia for the medals.
In the women's competition, the three medallists are already decided. Algeria, who has held the lead the entire tournament, plays Nigeria in a big match while the South Africa-Nigeria finale will decide the other two medals. Algeria will most likely clinch the gold since they will probably score full marks against Libya while both Nigeria and South Africa will battle medal contenders. Botswana is 5½ points back from medal contention and again has had a disappointing performance. Only a medal would have softened the pain from their 0/36 debacle in Russia.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
ELDORET CHESS SCENE
After going out so long from Eldoret iam curently on leave and the chess scene in this town is vibrant
Edwin korir on chess duty
For the last few months, my military duties have taken me as far as moyale,lamu,larisoro,somalia upto lokichogio. With security at high alert on the kenya somalia border, a constant military presence has been kept on this border forcing us to spend most of our time on this harsh terrain. With this call for duty, chess sometimes takes a back seat but i have been able to post quite a number of articles in this blog. After such a tiring 6 months i was looking foward to relax during my leave. So i came home to eldoret and as i was relaxing one afternoon at the klique hotel the ugly head of chess reared its head back.
Klique hotel in the centre of Eldoret is a famous meeting ground for chess players in this town. With dedicated and passionate chess players games can go on till early in the morning. Recently an American on holiday in kenya called Mark just passed by the hotel for a drink. On seeing us play he immediately raced to our table and played on the next turn. His wife who was sitting next to him looked sad and when he finally introduced us to her he said"meet my chess widow".
So iam hearing rumours of a chess tournament this sartuday. It seems some Moi university medical student recently demolished a Klique veteran and went on to give him a lesson on why he was a chess professional. So with no loove lost am waiting for this touna with bathed breath.
Edwin korir on chess duty
For the last few months, my military duties have taken me as far as moyale,lamu,larisoro,somalia upto lokichogio. With security at high alert on the kenya somalia border, a constant military presence has been kept on this border forcing us to spend most of our time on this harsh terrain. With this call for duty, chess sometimes takes a back seat but i have been able to post quite a number of articles in this blog. After such a tiring 6 months i was looking foward to relax during my leave. So i came home to eldoret and as i was relaxing one afternoon at the klique hotel the ugly head of chess reared its head back.
Klique hotel in the centre of Eldoret is a famous meeting ground for chess players in this town. With dedicated and passionate chess players games can go on till early in the morning. Recently an American on holiday in kenya called Mark just passed by the hotel for a drink. On seeing us play he immediately raced to our table and played on the next turn. His wife who was sitting next to him looked sad and when he finally introduced us to her he said"meet my chess widow".
So iam hearing rumours of a chess tournament this sartuday. It seems some Moi university medical student recently demolished a Klique veteran and went on to give him a lesson on why he was a chess professional. So with no loove lost am waiting for this touna with bathed breath.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Profile of Kenyan Team To All African Games
With the All African Games kicking off today here is a profile of our men in Algiers
The national team before leaving for algiers
BEN MAGANA
With a FIDE rating of 2151 and a local rating of 2308, ben magana is the strongest kenyan player currently. The reigning kenya national chess champion, magana has participated in many olympiads. He is the Kenya Open 2000 chess champion. This seemingly timid player has the precision and cold ruthlessness of a machine while on attacking mode. He has played in a number of countries namely Egypt, Turkey and Slovenia. In the chess Olympiad held in Istanbul Turkey he achieved an ELO Rating of 2200.All kenyan hopes will be resting on his shoulders. Although he will play very strong players in board 1 including GM and IM, there was a rumour that the kenyan team may play their strongest players(Magana and Nguku) in lower boards to increase medal prospects.
BEN NGUKU
Nguku and magana
His best moment was in the 2004 olympiad in spain where he managed the best score by any kenyan player in the tournament. A versatile and attacking player, Nguku has been kenya number one a number of times. "He has a sharp style despite his sometimes conservative choice of openings" is what nigel short had to say about him.
AKELLO ATWOLI
What can be more diffrent, his father is the most talkative man around while akello is so silent and shy. This being his first time representing kenya his perfomance will really be a gauge of things to come.
STEVE OUMA
The question in everbodys mind is, "are you fit to wear that kenyan shirt". Oumas inclusion in the team was so controversial it clouded other aspects of the team. In my own opinion ouma should not be anywhere near algiers. At the expense of Obut, ouma was chosen because he had "better medal prospects". If we are talking about medal prospects then why not choose Ateka or Kanegeni who are a million times stronger than ouma? I think his strength of play will be clearly exposed in algiers
The national team before leaving for algiers
BEN MAGANA
With a FIDE rating of 2151 and a local rating of 2308, ben magana is the strongest kenyan player currently. The reigning kenya national chess champion, magana has participated in many olympiads. He is the Kenya Open 2000 chess champion. This seemingly timid player has the precision and cold ruthlessness of a machine while on attacking mode. He has played in a number of countries namely Egypt, Turkey and Slovenia. In the chess Olympiad held in Istanbul Turkey he achieved an ELO Rating of 2200.All kenyan hopes will be resting on his shoulders. Although he will play very strong players in board 1 including GM and IM, there was a rumour that the kenyan team may play their strongest players(Magana and Nguku) in lower boards to increase medal prospects.
BEN NGUKU
Nguku and magana
His best moment was in the 2004 olympiad in spain where he managed the best score by any kenyan player in the tournament. A versatile and attacking player, Nguku has been kenya number one a number of times. "He has a sharp style despite his sometimes conservative choice of openings" is what nigel short had to say about him.
AKELLO ATWOLI
What can be more diffrent, his father is the most talkative man around while akello is so silent and shy. This being his first time representing kenya his perfomance will really be a gauge of things to come.
STEVE OUMA
The question in everbodys mind is, "are you fit to wear that kenyan shirt". Oumas inclusion in the team was so controversial it clouded other aspects of the team. In my own opinion ouma should not be anywhere near algiers. At the expense of Obut, ouma was chosen because he had "better medal prospects". If we are talking about medal prospects then why not choose Ateka or Kanegeni who are a million times stronger than ouma? I think his strength of play will be clearly exposed in algiers
Friday, July 6, 2007
Mukabi tips Egypt for gold
By Samson Ateka
The national chess team technical bench hopes to improve its medal prospects by fielding stronger players on lower boards.
Chess is usually played in four boards with the top seed fielded on board one. Olympian and coach John Mukabi said they intend to field their players in a descending order because "our top players will face weak opposition at lower boards."
Reigning champion Ben Magana could be fielded on the lowest board with Ben Ngungu on the third last board.
Mukabi said Steve Ouma and Akello Atwoli might be taken on to the top boards. The chess team has brought to camp at Kasarani two computers for sparring matches with Fritz nine programmes, which coach Mukabi said is able to play various intricate lines against a human being.
"The management Committee has hired two computers that players are using to test their might on the chess board and it has really done a lot of good to the players. The programme looks at up to 20 different and strong moves and this will help improve the players’ flair in the long run," Mukabi said.
Mukabi said the advantage of the programme is that you can tune it to the level of a player or higher above the standards if one so wishes.
Mukabi said they would decide on the order of the boards tomorrow. Mukabi has tipped Egypt as the possible champions.
"They have International Masters and grandmasters in their team and their standards should be way above the continental level. But we will fight to be in the medal brackets by virtue of having played at various Fide World Chess Olympiads," Mukabi said.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
UGANDAN CHESS TEAM TO ALL AFRICAN GAMES STRANDED
The 9th All-Africa Games will take place in July 11-23 2007 in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria. CHESS is a medal sport for the second time after Abuja in 2003. drama has already started with Ugandan team getting stranded.
With the first batch of the Ugandan contingent leaves on Wednesday, the national chess team is until now not sure of its participation in the 9th All Africa Games set for July 11 to 23 in Algiers, Algeria
Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) had handed in a team of six players to Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) but was told the sport had not been included in the Games' budget.
UOC president Francis Nyangweso had disclosed last week that chess had been dropped due to several technicalities.
The chess team cannot comprise of less than six players at the continental showpiece and it's not clear whether government will raise enough funds to cater for all of them.
"Every player plays for six hours, so it's technically impossible for us to send less than six people," UCF general secretary Godfrey Gali, who also intends to play in Algeria, was quoted by Daily Monitor on Tuesday as saying.
Other members of the team are Shadrack Kantinti, Moses Kawuma, Harold Wanyama, Bob Bibasa and John Kikonyogo.
UCF officials opted to look for private sponsorship, a move that had also hit a dead end.
"We tried our best to look for sponsorship but it was too late.It's very hard to approach a sponsor on short notice and expect positive results," said Gali.
UCF then appealed to the sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi, whom they met Monday evening but little success was registered.
"We've just been in a meeting with the sports minister but he told us to come back tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. But since he is the minister, we are very confident something good will come out,"Gali said.
"I am meeting them again tomorrow (Tuesday) and hope a solutioncan be reached. At the moment I am doing my best to make sure theytravel," said Bakkabulindi, who will be heading Uganda's delegation to the Games.
Uganda is sending its biggest ever contingent of 70 to the biennial games with government paying allowances and accommodationfor 32 athletes and 22 air tickets.
Monday, June 4, 2007
CHESS JOKES
Chess is not a funny game. But this has not prevented some comedians from poking fun in this noble game.
A group of chess enthusiasts had checked into a hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.
"But why?" they asked, as they moved off.
"Because," he said, "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."
A chess master died - after a few days, a friend of his heard a voice; it was him!
"What's it like, where you are now," he asked.
"What do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news."
"Tell me the good news first."
"Well, it's really heaven here. There are tournaments and blitz sessions going on all the time and Morphy, Alekhine, Lasker, Tal, Capablanca, Botvinnik, they're all here, and you can play them."
"Fantastic!" the friend said, "And what is the bad news?"
"You have Black against Capablanca on Saturday."
A Chess Player is walking from the lake carrying two fish in a bucket. He is approached by the Game Warden who asks him for his fishing license. The Chess player says to the warden, "I did not catch these fish; they are my pets's pawn. Everyday I come down to the water and whistle and these fish jump out and I take around to see the sights only to return them at the end of the day; remember that the Chess Board is like an ocean; full of fish". The warden, does not play chess, he not had any idea what he's taking about; not believing him, reminds him that it is illegal to fish without a license. The Chess Player turns to the warden and says,
"CHECK" "If you don't believe me then watch," as he throws the fish back into the water. The warden says, "Now whistle to your fish and show me that they will come out of the water." The Chess Player turns to the warden and says, "What fish!?"
In a park people come across a man playing chess against a dog. They are astonished and say:
"What a clever dog!"
But the man protests:
"No, no, he isn't that clever. I'm leading by three games to one!"
Frasier: I can see why she likes the game - "the king is stationary, the queen has all the power".
"So I was having dinner with Garry Kasporov - Problem was, we had a checkered tablecloth and it took him two hours to pass the salt!"
Q. Which chess piece is the most powerful?
A. The Knight, It goes over the top.
2 friends see themselves by the street and one of them says:
- My wife says that if tomorrow I go to the chess match, it will take my children and it will leave me.
The other friend asks to him:
- And what you will do?
And the other answers to him:
- E4, how always!
Q - Which group of women are the best chess players?
A - Feminists. Their opponents begin with King and Queen, but *they* always start with 2 Queens.
Three retired International chess grandmasters were playing chess in the park.
The first grandmaster said, "it is windy today."
The second grandmaster said, "no, it is Thursday today".
The third grandmaster said, "me too, let's go back inside for a drink"
The young apprentice went to his master and asked him:
"Which is the best game man made?".
The old master though a little bit and said
"It's chess I guess, no?".
"What about go?" came the next question instantly.
"Aah, go was already here!"
A gentleman must play a game of chess with a blind person, he proposes to the blind person:
"As him cannot see he will grant an advantage to him as part of the deal. We will not play in equality of conditions."
"This sound really fair" replied the Blind Person.
Then he asks the gentleman: "When?"
"Very well", the other men responded to him "any night that you prefer."
A group of chess enthusiasts had checked into a hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.
"But why?" they asked, as they moved off.
"Because," he said, "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."
A chess master died - after a few days, a friend of his heard a voice; it was him!
"What's it like, where you are now," he asked.
"What do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news."
"Tell me the good news first."
"Well, it's really heaven here. There are tournaments and blitz sessions going on all the time and Morphy, Alekhine, Lasker, Tal, Capablanca, Botvinnik, they're all here, and you can play them."
"Fantastic!" the friend said, "And what is the bad news?"
"You have Black against Capablanca on Saturday."
A Chess Player is walking from the lake carrying two fish in a bucket. He is approached by the Game Warden who asks him for his fishing license. The Chess player says to the warden, "I did not catch these fish; they are my pets's pawn. Everyday I come down to the water and whistle and these fish jump out and I take around to see the sights only to return them at the end of the day; remember that the Chess Board is like an ocean; full of fish". The warden, does not play chess, he not had any idea what he's taking about; not believing him, reminds him that it is illegal to fish without a license. The Chess Player turns to the warden and says,
"CHECK" "If you don't believe me then watch," as he throws the fish back into the water. The warden says, "Now whistle to your fish and show me that they will come out of the water." The Chess Player turns to the warden and says, "What fish!?"
In a park people come across a man playing chess against a dog. They are astonished and say:
"What a clever dog!"
But the man protests:
"No, no, he isn't that clever. I'm leading by three games to one!"
Frasier: I can see why she likes the game - "the king is stationary, the queen has all the power".
"So I was having dinner with Garry Kasporov - Problem was, we had a checkered tablecloth and it took him two hours to pass the salt!"
Q. Which chess piece is the most powerful?
A. The Knight, It goes over the top.
2 friends see themselves by the street and one of them says:
- My wife says that if tomorrow I go to the chess match, it will take my children and it will leave me.
The other friend asks to him:
- And what you will do?
And the other answers to him:
- E4, how always!
Q - Which group of women are the best chess players?
A - Feminists. Their opponents begin with King and Queen, but *they* always start with 2 Queens.
Three retired International chess grandmasters were playing chess in the park.
The first grandmaster said, "it is windy today."
The second grandmaster said, "no, it is Thursday today".
The third grandmaster said, "me too, let's go back inside for a drink"
The young apprentice went to his master and asked him:
"Which is the best game man made?".
The old master though a little bit and said
"It's chess I guess, no?".
"What about go?" came the next question instantly.
"Aah, go was already here!"
A gentleman must play a game of chess with a blind person, he proposes to the blind person:
"As him cannot see he will grant an advantage to him as part of the deal. We will not play in equality of conditions."
"This sound really fair" replied the Blind Person.
Then he asks the gentleman: "When?"
"Very well", the other men responded to him "any night that you prefer."
FAMOUS CHESS QUOTES
Ten famous chess quotes.
Over time many chess players, commentators, writers, kibziters, grandmasters and grandpazters have made famous quotes. Here is my selection of my best 10. you can ignore number 11.
1. "If drink is the curse of the working classes and work is the curse of the drinking classes then chess is the curse of the thinking classes”
>> J. Ross
2. "The delight in gambits is a sign of chess youth... In very much the same way as the young man, on reaching his manhood years, lays aside the Indian stories and stories of adventure, and turns to the psychological novel, we with maturing experience leave off gambit playing and become interested in the less vivacious but withal more forceful manoeuvres of the position player."
>> Emanuel LASKER
3. "Pawns are born free, yet are everywhere in chains..."
>> rkennedy@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Rick Kennedy)
4. "Modern chess is too much concerned with things like pawn structure. Forget it - checkmate ends the game"
>> Nigel SHORT
5. "A chess game is divided into three stages: the first, when you hope you have the advantage, the second when you believe you have an advantage and the third... when you know you're going to lose!"
>> Savielly Tartakower
6. "Whereas the tactician knows what to do when there is something to do, it requires the strategian to know what to do when there is nothing to do"
>> Gerald ABRAHAMS (this seems to be fairly free translation of one of TARTAKOVER's aphorisms).
7. "During a chess competition a chessmaster should be a combination of a beast of prey and a monk."
>> Alexander ALEKHINE
8. "Before the endgame, the Gods have placed the middle game.”
>> Siegbert TARRASCH
9. " Reti studies mathematics although he is not a dry mathematician; represents Vienna without being Viennese; was born in old Hungary yet he does not know Hungarian; speaks uncommonly rapidly only in order to act all the more maturely and deliberately; and will become the best chessplayer without, however, becoming world champion. "
>> TARTAKOVER, Hypermodern Chess
10. Here are some of the questions and answers to an examination paper in chess that was given some time ago by Dr. TARRASCH. (...)
"Q: What is the object of playing a gambit opening?
A: To acquire a reputation of being a dashing player at the cost of losing a game.
Q: Account briefly for the popularity of the Queen Pawn Opening in matches of a serious nature.
A: Laziness.
Q: What is the duty of an umpire where a player wilfully upsets the board?
A: Remove the bottle.
Q: What exceptional circumstances will justify the stopping of clocks during a tournament game?
A: Strangling a photographer. "
>> Chess Review, 1935.
11. The fear of the pawn is the beginning of wisdom
>> Yours truly, 2007
Over time many chess players, commentators, writers, kibziters, grandmasters and grandpazters have made famous quotes. Here is my selection of my best 10. you can ignore number 11.
1. "If drink is the curse of the working classes and work is the curse of the drinking classes then chess is the curse of the thinking classes”
>> J. Ross
2. "The delight in gambits is a sign of chess youth... In very much the same way as the young man, on reaching his manhood years, lays aside the Indian stories and stories of adventure, and turns to the psychological novel, we with maturing experience leave off gambit playing and become interested in the less vivacious but withal more forceful manoeuvres of the position player."
>> Emanuel LASKER
3. "Pawns are born free, yet are everywhere in chains..."
>> rkennedy@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Rick Kennedy)
4. "Modern chess is too much concerned with things like pawn structure. Forget it - checkmate ends the game"
>> Nigel SHORT
5. "A chess game is divided into three stages: the first, when you hope you have the advantage, the second when you believe you have an advantage and the third... when you know you're going to lose!"
>> Savielly Tartakower
6. "Whereas the tactician knows what to do when there is something to do, it requires the strategian to know what to do when there is nothing to do"
>> Gerald ABRAHAMS (this seems to be fairly free translation of one of TARTAKOVER's aphorisms).
7. "During a chess competition a chessmaster should be a combination of a beast of prey and a monk."
>> Alexander ALEKHINE
8. "Before the endgame, the Gods have placed the middle game.”
>> Siegbert TARRASCH
9. " Reti studies mathematics although he is not a dry mathematician; represents Vienna without being Viennese; was born in old Hungary yet he does not know Hungarian; speaks uncommonly rapidly only in order to act all the more maturely and deliberately; and will become the best chessplayer without, however, becoming world champion. "
>> TARTAKOVER, Hypermodern Chess
10. Here are some of the questions and answers to an examination paper in chess that was given some time ago by Dr. TARRASCH. (...)
"Q: What is the object of playing a gambit opening?
A: To acquire a reputation of being a dashing player at the cost of losing a game.
Q: Account briefly for the popularity of the Queen Pawn Opening in matches of a serious nature.
A: Laziness.
Q: What is the duty of an umpire where a player wilfully upsets the board?
A: Remove the bottle.
Q: What exceptional circumstances will justify the stopping of clocks during a tournament game?
A: Strangling a photographer. "
>> Chess Review, 1935.
11. The fear of the pawn is the beginning of wisdom
>> Yours truly, 2007
CHESS TERMS
Do you know these chess terminologies?
Chess terminology has borrowed heavily from many languages from Arabic to Indian and german. Here are a few mind swinging terms.
amaurosis scachistica:
Chess blindness (oversight), described ironically as a disease by Dr. Tarrasch. There is a superb example from Krogius in the Errors section of the Canon.
Intermezzo:
See Zwischenzug
Kibitz:
To offer advice as a spectator - a dangerous pastime
Phalanx:
A triangle of pawns e.g. b3-c4-d5-e4-f3 in the KID
Prophylaxis:
Prevention. Nimzovitch talked about this rather as an end in itself, which is misleading.
tabiya:
(Arabic) Originally one of the conventional starting formations for play, now used to describe key positions arising from the opening.
Trebuchet:
A common Zugzwang position
Zeitnot:
(German) time trouble
Zwischenzug:
(German) literally, in-between move. When, for example, a re-capture is delayed for a move to make a capture, check or threat elsewhere
Chess terminology has borrowed heavily from many languages from Arabic to Indian and german. Here are a few mind swinging terms.
amaurosis scachistica:
Chess blindness (oversight), described ironically as a disease by Dr. Tarrasch. There is a superb example from Krogius in the Errors section of the Canon.
Intermezzo:
See Zwischenzug
Kibitz:
To offer advice as a spectator - a dangerous pastime
Phalanx:
A triangle of pawns e.g. b3-c4-d5-e4-f3 in the KID
Prophylaxis:
Prevention. Nimzovitch talked about this rather as an end in itself, which is misleading.
tabiya:
(Arabic) Originally one of the conventional starting formations for play, now used to describe key positions arising from the opening.
Trebuchet:
A common Zugzwang position
Zeitnot:
(German) time trouble
Zwischenzug:
(German) literally, in-between move. When, for example, a re-capture is delayed for a move to make a capture, check or threat elsewhere
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