KCB begins title defense in Kenya Chess Premier League Opener

Kenya Chess Premier League (KCPL) defending champions KCB start their title defence at home on Saturday morning when they take on NACHA Kings in a packed schedule.

The opening matches of the league will be preceded by the prize giving ceremony to take place at 9am at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.

The bankers will be rewarded with a shield and Ksh100,000 for winning last season’s top tier league and this should give them motivation to win their season opening match.

KCB have signed top junior Robert Macligeyo into their already experienced squad that could prove too much for the inexperienced NACHA Kings.

Apart from Macligeyo, the bankers also have Ben Nguku, Ricky Sang as well as Ben Magana to look upto. In board five, Kenyan champion Joyce Nyaruai will be critical in helping them get points.

Inexperienced NACHA Kings have some tough juniors hardened by years of excellence and will do their best to get something from this match. The Lwanga brothers, Aguda Lwanga and Odongo Lwanga carry the hopes of the team.

Equity Bank who are coming back to the league after a one year absence face a strengthened Nairobi Chess Club side that boasts of national champion Mehul Gohil and Kenya’s highest ranked played Peter Gilruth.

Equity have recalled most of their top players for this year’s league and have a tough squad comprising of the likes of former national champion Victor Ngani, the experienced Brian Adorwa and former world amateur ladies champion Madelta Glenda.

They have also strengthened their squad by adding Olympian Julie Mutisya. Mutisya was initially at Nakuru Chess Club.

Relegated Strathmore University take on KICOSCA United in one of the super league fixtures lined up for Saturday.

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Strathmore will be hoping to start well in a bid to be promoted to the Premier League next season.

United States International University (USIU-Africa) have a tough fixture against Lighthouse Queens.

Full fixtures

Premier League

Saturday - 10AM

Kisumu Chess Club v Lighthouse Alpha, Equity Chess Club v Nairobi Chess Club, Westlands Chess Club v Daystar University, Elite Chess Academy v Black Knights, KCB v NACHA Kings, Nairobi Chess Club v Victoria Chess Club, Jommo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) v Kenyatta University.

Saturday - 2PM

Nakuru Chess Club, Nairobi Chess Club, Anchor Chess Club v KCB Chess Club, Kenyatta University v Elite Chess Academy and Club, Victoria Chess Club v Westlands Chess Club, NACHA Kings v Equity Chess Club, Black Knights v Kisumu Chess Club, Daystar University v Kisumu Chess Club, Nairobi Chess Club v Lighthouse Alpha.

Super League

Saturday - 10AM

Strathmore University v Kicosca, USIU v Lighthouse Queens, Maveens Warriors v Mavens Chess and Scholastic Center, Knight Chess Academy v Victoria Chess Club.

Saturday - 2PM

Black Knights v Victoria Chess Club, Anchor Chess Club v Knight Riders, USIU v Mavens Warriors.