This archive report was first published on 22 October 2019.
On Monday, the Technical University of Mombasa hosted the 2019 Mombasa Chess Open, where Mehul Gohil and Daphne Mwikali were crowned the men's and ladies champions, respectively.
Gohil, representing Nairobi Chess Club, secured the top spot with six points from six board matches, earning him the gold medal. He was followed closely by Mathew Kanegeni and Fide Master Stephen Ouma, both from Equity Chess Club, who took second and third place, respectively.
In the ladies category, Daphne Mwikali of Equity Chess Club emerged as the winner with four points, while Woman Candidate Master Lucy Wanjiru secured second place with 3.5 points.
The juniors' category saw Rian Shah of Mombasa Chess Academy and Tamara Imali of KBA School take home the under 8 boys and girls categories, respectively. Cyprian Mbaabu and Agnes Wanjiru, both from KBA School, emerged as winners in the under 10 boys and girls categories.
Moses Bejon of Kivokoni School and Estherlynn Njeri of KBA School won in the under 12 boys and girls categories, while Rahul Doshi of Mombasa Chess Academy and Esther Wangari of KBA School took home the under 18 boys and girls awards, respectively.
Equity Chess Club was ranked as the best club, and KBA School was ranked the best junior chess team.
According to Gohil, "The tournament was hard and challenging, but am happy that I won. Congrats to the juniors too for performing at their best. This tourney was just a warm up as we head towards premier league action."
With the Mombasa Chess Open now concluded, the focus shifts to the Kenya Chess Premier League, which is scheduled to take place over the weekend, hosted by Light House Chess Academy.
