The 2011 Nairobi Chess League kicked off to an enthusiastic start at Goan Gymkhana on Saturday 19th March 2011 with 10 teams registering for the KES 50,000 team event hosted by Nairobi Chess Club.
The teams were: Nairobi Gambit, Sicilian Simbas, Marauding Knights, Safaricom CC, Mighty Pawns, Strathmore University’s ‘Poizoned Pawns’, Knight Runners, Checkmates CC, Lion Kings and Nairobi CC.
Nairobi Chess Club chairman Kim Bhari with members of Strathmore University's 'Poizoned Pawns' team.
To inaugurate the league, an impromptu blitz tournament was held where representatives from 8 of the 9 teams where divided into two groups. Winners from the first round advanced to the next in knockout fashion till the only two remaining players were George Mwangi from Sicilian Simbas and George Mathea from Nairobi Gambit. George Mwangi ultimately prevailed and took home a cash prize of KES 1,000.
League matches officially begin tomorrow, 26th March at 2.30 pm at Nairobi Chess Club’s home base, Goan Gymkhana. Players will be given 45 minutes each to complete their matches with two rounds being played every Saturday.
Fixtures for Round 1 and 2 are as follows.
Round 1 – Saturday, 26th March 2011 at 2.15 pm:
- Nairobi CC v/s Poizoned Pawns
- Mighty Pawns v/s Marauding Knights
- Knight Runners v/s Nairobi Gambit
Round 2 – Saturday, 26th March 2011 at 4.15 pm:
- Nairobi Gambit v/s Nairobi CC
- Mighty Pawns v/s Poizoned Pawns
- Knight Runners v/s Marauding Knights