Top guns start well at Mavens International Chess tournament
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 20.03.26. | 16:29
National champion Jadon Simiyu had a positive start in the four-day tournament as he won his match against Zuri Kaloki
Grand Master (GM) Plat Vojtech, the highest rated player at the Mavens International tournament, easily won his first game as the event started at Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) on Thursday.
Vojtech beat Kenyan Clinton Ngugi on board one showing strong intention of walking away with the Kshs 750,000 on offer for the winner.
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With a rating of 2457, Vojtech from Slovakia said he was delighted to be playing in Kenya.
“My opponent gave a good account of himself, but made a mistake towards the end game. It is great to be here this being my first time in Kenya and look forward to a great tournament,” he said.
Fellow Grand Master, Czebe Attila, from Hungary got a walk-over in his first round as his opponent Collins Mburu failed to turn up.
National champion Jadon Simiyu had a positive start in the four-day tournament as he won his match against Zuri Kaloki.
Kaloki, one of the highest rated Kenyan ladies at 1820, is playing in the Open section of this event.
Kenya’s highest rated male player Kaloki Hawi also had a positive start, beating Collins Muoki.
Ugandan players had a great start in the event, with Haruna Nsubuga beating Chrispinus Wanjiru and Emmanuel Egesa getting the better of Lenny Mataiga.
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In the ladies' category, national champion Jully Mutisya beat Channel Mckenzie.
Former champion Mongeli Sasha suffered an upset after going down to another former national champion Lucy Wanjiru.
The winner in the men’s category will walk away with Ksh 750,000 making it the richest chess tournament being held this year.
Runners-up in the open category will earn Ksh 150,000, with the third placed player pocketing Ksh 50,000.
In the ladies’ category, the winner will pocket Ksh 150,000,while the runners-up earning Ksh 70,000 and the third placed getting Ksh 30,000.
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There will also be prizes for the Best University players in both the Open and Ladies category, as well as People Living with Disabilities.
A junior category of the event will be held on March 21 with special prizes to be given out to the winners.