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CHESS: Kenya’s Madelta Glenda and Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Joyce Nyaruai outplayed more than 20 players from over 23 countries in Greece to win gold and silver respectively in the 2021 World Amateur Chess Championship.

 The duo demonstrated their immense prowess in the board game with Glenda who plays for Equity Bank Chess Club locally beating Al-Moaamari Mozah of United Arabs Emirates in the last round of the competition to be crowned the 2021 World Amateur Chess Championship champion, taking Gold in the Women’s U1700 Section.

 Meanwhile, Nyaruai who plays for KCB Chess Club won silver after beating WCM Almaamari Zainab Darwish, also of UAE, in her last round of the competition.

 “This is the first time Kenya has won a world championship in chess. It was not easy for our players to overcome higher rated players from other 23 countries, but we’re extremely happy to see our players produce such outstanding performances to put our country on top of the world, and this, therefore, calls for celebration. 

We are proud of this achievement. Kenya is full of talent,” delighted Chess Kenya president Bernard Wanjala told People Sport.

 En route to glory, Glenda won seven matches, drew one, and only lost once to her compatriot Nyaruai. 

 Nyaruai, on the other hand, started strongly by winning her opening four rounds against Bekheet Suhailah of Kuwait, Al-Moaamari Mozah of UAE, compatriot Madelta Glenda of Kenya, and Trivella Maria of host nation Greece before being stopped by Florea Dorina of Russia in round five. 

 In the Open Section that features both men and women, veteran Ben Magana finished fifth, also the best ever performance from a Kenyan player in the global event, with Gohil Mehul finishing 17 and Methu Joseph Muragu finishing 25th globally.