This archive report was first published on 25 June 2021.
The Kenya National Premier Chess League is set to resume on Saturday, marking the end of a prolonged hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The league will kick off with eight matches, a significant reduction from last year's 33 teams.
According to Anthony Kionga, Chess Kenya League Secretary, the decision to resume virtually was made to mitigate the risks associated with high-contact sports. 'Digital is the way to go now that we cannot physically play due to the coronavirus pandemic,' Kionga said.
The league has partnered with leading online chess websites, including lichess.org, chess.com, and Internet Chess Club, to facilitate virtual matches. This move has been welcomed by teams, with many citing challenges in acquiring necessary gadgets and poor internet connectivity as major obstacles.
Among the matches scheduled for the opening day are Lighthouse vs. Strathmore University, Victoria Chess Club vs. Nyeri Chess Club, and Black Knights vs. Para Chess Club. The league has a total of 17 teams participating, a significant drop from last year's figure.
Chess Kenya is optimistic about the future of the game, with Kionga stating, 'We are very lucky to have this opportunity of having to play virtually and for all clubs to agree to it shows just how far Kenya is willing to go to grow the game of chess.'
