The 2024 Kenya National Chess Championships commences at Makini School from Wednesday with a record 250 participants taking part.At stake for the winner in the Open category is a brand new Nissan Note car. A cash prize of Ksh519,000 will also be fought for in the five-day event which has this year attracted one of the highest numbers of players.Former Kenyan boxing president details current sorry state of the sportThree-time national champion Mehul Gohil will be one of the favorites though he has not been in great form this year considering his performance in past events leading to this year’s tournament.Speaking ahead of the championships, Mehul said this year’s event will be one of the toughest considering the number of new players who have registered.##NAJAVA_MECA_8564185##“It will take a minimum of eight points out of the nine rounds for one to win the championship,” he predicted.According to Mehul, he scored the above number of points on the two occasions that he finished first and runners up and believes this will be the same in 2024.NCPB eyeing a three-peat in East and Central African handball championship“The margin of error is very low this time. You cannot afford two draws or only one loss to be assured of lifting the title.”Apart from Mehul, Ben Magana, another former national champion is also a strong candidate for the title.##NAJAVA_MECA_8564168##For Magana, this is probably his last chance to go at the top prize. Magana has been in top form this year ending the month of November as the highest-ranked Kenyan player.Teenager Robert Macligeyo is another clear favourite to win the event. In the ladies category, defending champion Sasha Mongeli from Equity Bank will be out to defend her title and will come up against tough opposition from Joyce Nyaruai and Julie Mutisya who have both been impressive this year.GSU’s winning streak confidence boost as they eye podiumTeenager Elizabeth Cassidy is also taking part in the ladies’ category and is likely to do well.A one-day junior event has also been planned for Thursday 12 December. The event has attracted 100 players.
