This archive report was first published on 13 December 2021.
Published on December 13, 2021, in The Standard Sports.
Chrispin Odhiambo, the undisputed national champion, has won the Nairobi Open Championships with an impressive 45 points, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown with world champion Lubabalo Kondlo of South Africa in Mombasa this weekend.
The two-day tournament will feature a round-robin series, where Odhiambo will face off against the global champion on Saturday and Sunday. The event brings together some of the top players in the coastal region, including Steve Ngigi of Magongo, Mombasa, Kiema of Kitui, and Thomas Obonyo of Maringo Club, Nairobi.
Odhiambo, who plays for Mbotela Club, defeated arch-rival Jillo Mushata of Mombasa and Alaskan Chudi of Kilifi County to secure a spot in the tournament.
Kenya Draughts Association Secretary General Charles Musyoka expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, stating that it will provide local players with valuable exposure and opportunities to compete against experienced global players.
”We are determined to have local players get exposure by playing against some of the most experienced global players,” Musyoka told Standard Sports.
This will be the second time Odhiambo and Kondlo face each other, following their debut in 2019, where they played 20 matches with one victory each and 18 draws.
The match against the world champion will help prepare Odhiambo for the World Draughts Qualifiers to be hosted in the United States of America in April next year.
