53rd Nairobi Chess Club Championship
27th & 28th August 2011
The 53rd Nairobi Chess Club Championship began on Saturday, 27th August with a record 41
participants, one of the highest numbers seen at a club tournament in recent times.
This event was proudly sponsored by Chess Supporter Rodgers Adai of ARM Engineering to the
tune to KShs 30,000.
Adding to the level of competition at the championship were the entire All Africa Games chess
contingent comprising of: Mehul Gohil, Martin Gateri, Joseph Atwoli, Ben Magana, Githinji
Hinga (men’s team) and Isabelle Asiema, Rehema Kimulu, Gweyani Jumba, Purity Gachigi and
Rose Wabuti (women’s team). The team manager Francis Ngesa who is also the Vice Chairman
turned up for the event.
Due to the high number of entries, the participants were split into two categories: Seniors and
Challengers based on their estimated ELO ratings.
Winner of the Challengers section Vasant Ramesh (left) tries to focus his mind while Joseph
Methu attempts to hypnotise his pieces!
This event was one of the toughest events in the recent past and it had a fair share of major
upsets which included; Kenya number player Peter Gilruth lost to eventual winner Ben Magana,
Mehul Gohil lost to Bryan Taboso, Blitz King Martin Gateri losing to Collins Young.
Kenya number 1 player Peter Gilruth in action.
Two rounds were played on Saturday afternoon and three rounds on Sunday and the time
controls were 60 minutes to complete the game.
Nairobi Chess Club Stalwart member Nikolai van Beek makes his move against Francis Ngesa
Vice Chairman of Chess Kenya.
Mehul Gohil (left) in unfamiliar territory of having to defend in a game that he lost eventually to
Bryan Taboso (right)
At the end it was Ben Magana who won the event with 4.5 points to pocket a top cash prize of
KShs 7,500. Brian Taboso, Githinji Hinga and Mehul Gohil tied at 4 points to share the 2nd prize
of KShs 5,000 and the 3rd prize of KShs 2,500.
In the Challengers section Vasanth Ramesh won the event with 4.5 points out of 5 points.
Winner Ben Magana receives his trophy from Mr Ramesh
Bryan Taboso with a fine performance receives his trophy
Githinji Hinga receives his prize for 3rd place.