Next Move Chess

 The Kisumu Open Classical Chess Tournament 2023 happened over the weekend of 11th to 12th November at the Scottish Tartan Hotel in Kisumu. This tournament was organized by Kisumu Chess Club. The tournament had a good turn out and was played in four different categories. These categories were the open, ladies, under 12 and under 9. All the categories had a time control of 60 minutes + 30 seconds per player to finish. The highlight of the tournament was in the ladies category where we had an incredible win by the 12 year old Elizabeth Cassidy Maina of Kitale School. She emerged victorious with a total of 5.5 points. This was not an easy run as she had to triumph over tough opponents including Francisca Kagwiria of NACHA and snatched an important draw against Jully Mutisya of Equity Chess Club. In the open category, the top junior was Rishit Ravat of Victoria Chess Club who was ranked 12th with four and a half points followed by 11 year old Jadon Simiyu of Nakuru Chess Club who finished

Chess action moved to the pristine coastal city of Mombasa over the Mashujaa Day weekend. The games were spread over three days 20th, 21st and 22nd at the Mombasa Beach Hotel. The tournament was played in various categories which included Open, Ladies and Juniors. The juniors tournament took place on Saturday 21st October 2023. The junior section was divided into 4 categories which were under 8, under 10, under 12 and under 14. Most of the older juniors opted to play in the stronger Open section. The tournament’s junior section went well and winners were awarded trophies while the runner ups received medals. All participants were also given certificates of participation. The best primary school was given a trophy. In the under 8 category, Simon Wesley of Busy Bee School and Aaliyah McKenzie of Mavens Chess Club were crowned the boys and girls winners respectively. Keyshawn Elmer of Lighthouse Chess Club and Mihika Shah of Oshwal Academy Mombasa emerged the boys and girls champions resp