This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
Published on December 18, 2019, the 2019 Kenya Chess national championships crowned Mehul Gohil of Nairobi Chess Club and Lucy Wanjiru of Deadly Bishops as the champions.
Gohil, who had just won the Mombasa Open, defeated defending champion Victor Ngani of Equity Chess Club to take the top spot with 23 points, finishing unbeaten.
Ben Nguku of KCB Chess Club came in second with seven wins and a draw, while Ngani took third place.
Other notable finishers in the men's category included Nathan Ateka and Jackson Kamau of KCB, who took fourth and fifth place, respectively, and Mcligeyo Robert of NACHA Kings, who finished last in the 52-man men's category.
Lucy Wanjiru, a Woman Candidate Master, dominated the ladies category, winning gold with 22 points after winning seven matches and drawing one.
WCM Joyce Nyaruai of KCB Chess Club took second place with 19 points, while Woman Fide Master Sasha Mongeli of Technical University of Kenya completed the podium places.
Other notable winners included Candidate Master Lwanga Aguda, who won gold in the juniors' category, and Doris Wanjala, who finished as the top girl in the noys category.
Lennox Mangi of Technical University of Kenya was ranked as the Best University Male Student, while Nicole Ogaga of Jomo Kenyatta University took home the Best University Female student award.
James Kabui and Gosrani Naiya were voted as the top under 21 male and female players, respectively, and Austin Mwiti and Elizabeth Cassidy won the male and female top award in the Cadet category.
As part of the awards, Gohil received a new car, while Wanjiru took home Sh100,000 in prize money.
Chess Kenya President Bernard Wanjala congratulated the champions, terming the 2019 chess calendar a success.
