My memorable tournaments: 2023

Closing Ceremony of the 65th Nairobi Chess Club Championship

Upon completing my final field exam, I promptly embarked on a journey to Nairobi, Kenya. Enduring a 21-hour flight, I wasted no time and dived straight into the 65th Nairobi Chess Club Championship.

Championship section: Starting Rank

Despite contending with jetlag, I managed to clinch a clear 2nd place with 3.5/4.

In the first three rounds, I had very nice convincing wins. However, Round 4 was full of drama. In fact, It was one of the most unbelievable games I ever played in my chess career. The round 4 result was both miraculous and tragic.

Round 1: See the full game here

Round 2: I faced against last year's champion Ricky Sang

23. hxg6

Here, black made a critical mistake taking on g6. 23....h6 would have given black better chances to fight.

Round 3: Against young CM Aguda Lwanga

Black has achieved the dream dragon position. What would you play here? Black to move.

Round 4: Against Victor Ngani. I pulled a miracle stalemate in this round. This was a very tough lesson for my opponent. Chess is never over until it's over.

This is one of my favorite pics from the tournament. Just love how this girl watching my game. This is what it's all about.

Black made a fatal mistake 62...Bxa3?? resulting in a tragic stalemate.

Pictured with the winner of the tournament Madol Panchol from South Sudan and 3rd place winner Kenyan Chess Champion Mehul Gohil

Special gratitude goes out to Kim Bhari for his invaluable assistance in warmly welcoming me to Nairobi. Furthermore, I extend my eternal gratitude to Coach Karan Christie for his unwavering guidance throughout my entire stay. Their kindness and hospitality made my arrival a truly memorable experience.

Enjoying my well-earned trophy

I'm also thrilled to share that I've chosen to give back to the chess community by donating my prize money. Half of my winnings have been contributed to the Nairobi Chess Club, while the other half has been directed to the Raise Chess Academy, aiming to provide a home for children in the Nakivale refugee settlement.

Visit the official website and article by Kim Bhari: Kenya Chess Masala

Following the weekend, I also competed in the Rapid Knockout tournament organized by Knight Chess Academy. Despite being ranked the highest-rated player in the entire tournament, I didn't perform too well. But It was still so much fun!

Lastly, special thanks to Githinji Hinga whose generous assistance has been immensely valuable!

Exploring the local chess club and engaging in matches with fellow local players.

More on Nairobi:

My time in Nairobi was truly delightful. The city exudes a vibrant energy, complemented by the warmth of its people. It seamlessly combines the allure of urban life with the excitement of a safari experience. This was my second time in Nairobi. Every time I visit here, it's such a great vibe.

Note: Some of the photos from the National park were taken last year.