On 20 November 2018, Equity Bank’s chess team defended its Kenya National Premier Chess League title after beating KCB Chess Club 3-2 in a tense match at The Luke Hotel.
Equity went into the final round sitting third on the table, but the team treated the clash with KCB as a must-win contest and came through to finish on top. Deadly Bishop ended up second, with KCB placed third.
The encounter was closely fought from the opening boards, with both sides fielding their strongest line-ups and avoiding early mistakes. Board one ended in a draw after Equity’s Arthur Sswenganyi held Harold Wanyama’s attack. Board three also finished level when KCB’s Joseph Methu recovered from a weak pawn structure to draw with Equity’s Peter Gilruth.
Equity’s first full point came on board two, where Patrick Kawuma broke through Ben Magana’s defence after sacrificing a knight. Magana tried to rebuild his position, but Kawuma had already coordinated his pieces for a decisive attack, leaving KCB with no practical counter-play and forcing a resignation.
KCB responded through Mehul Gohil, who used a tactical knight manoeuvre to beat Moses Andiwoh and level the match at 2-2. That left the title to be decided on the final board between Equity’s Daphne Mwikali and KCB’s Angolikin Goretti.
Daphne initially fell behind after a tactical error cost her two pawns, putting KCB in control. But Goretti’s own pawn-grabbing weakened her defence, and Daphne seized the chance to turn the game around. A queen check and pressure on the black bishop drove Goretti’s king out of castling safety and into the centre of the board, where Equity converted the position and secured the decisive point.
The team celebrated in the holding room as the result confirmed another league title for the champions. “It is not easy defending a title because everyone just wants to beat the champion. It was a very tight race but we are grateful that we have successfully defended the title,” said Chess Captain Bernad Wanjala.
As the 2017 league champions, Equity will now represent Kenya at the Africa Club Championships in Lusaka, Zambia next month. Coach John Mukabi said the team had drawn lessons from its outings in Egypt and expected a tougher continental test. “We picked vital lessons from our encounters in Egypt where players are very experienced,” he said. “Continental Championships are touch because you face the best in Africa but we are looking forward to improved performance in Lusaka,” added Mukabi.
The latest triumph is Equity’s third league title since joining the competition in 2015. It also follows the team’s recent win at the Mombasa Derby and its medal haul in the chess category of the 2018 Inter Bank games.
