By Amy Moyi
Chess players from teams across Kenya have participated in the Kenya National Chess league at the Cooperative College in Ongata Rongai town. The chess league was organized by Chess Kenya Federation with the support of the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
Speaking at the league, Kenya National Chess League secretary Antony Kiunga has said the chess event is comprised of teams from the premier league and super league.
“Today, we are having the second last fixtures of the league. At the end of the season, the top three teams in the super league will be promoted to the premier league which comprises of elite players in the country, ” said Kiunga.
Chairman of the Kajiado County Chess Association Victor Hongo has reiterated the importance of chess in enhancing life skills for players of the sport.
“This event has attracted players from counties including Mombasa, Kiambu, Kisumu and Kajiado. Chess is a wholesome sport with benefits like improving critical thinking, problem solving and planning skills, ” said Hongo.
According to Hongo,who has over ten years experience in chess, the sport has gained popularity across Kenya because of its educational value with more schools embracing the sport.
“There are over one hundred players and twenty-five teams in this league. Also, more schools are now getting involved in chess. The number of players annually in the regional qualifiers has increased from two thousand to six thousand and I anticipate the numbers could rise to ten thousand by next year, ” Hongo added.
In efforts to promote chess in Kajiado county as well as improve its standards, Kajiado County Chess Association will host a chess camp for children between 25th and 30th November.
The benefits of the chess camp will include coaching professional chess coaches in preparation for the upcoming chess national championships and regional qualifiers.
The ongoing chess league will be concluded on 1st December and winners in both the premier and super league will receive a cash prize.
