EAST AFRICA OPEN 2022 BY LIGHTHOUSE CHESS CLUB REPORT

REAMBLE

The East Africa Open Chess Championship started in 2018. Lighthouse hosted two editions in 2018 and 2019 then in 2020 it could not happen because of covid-19. It has evolved from being mainly a junior event to include adults hence the East Africa Open 2022 edition. This event had the Prestige section, Under 1800, Under 1600 and the Junior section. Despite travel constraints the event managed to garner players from six African Chess Federations, mainly England, Uganda, Tanzania, Lesotho, Zambia and Kenya. There were two winners from the prestige section crowned the East Africa Open Champions from both gender. Mozzart Kenya sponsored the top boards in the event. 

1. OVERVIEW

Dates: 30th April – May 3rd 2022

Categories: 

       i) Prestige (1700+ men, open to ladies)

       ii) U1800 (1500+ men, open to ladies)

      iii) U1600 (1599- men, open to ladies)

      iv) Juniors (Under 18 to Under 8)

         Format: Open: 7 rounds, 90 minutes + 30 second increment.

                                    Juniors: 6 rounds, 25 minutes.

                                    Scoring (1, 0.5, 0)

           Prize sharing: Equal distribution.

2. OFFICIALS

Organizer: Lighthouse Chess Club

Tournament Director: SI Kiragu Judy

Chief Arbiter: IO/IA Sembei Mutua

Deputy Chief Arbiter: IA/FI Kangaru James

Arbiters: FA Faith Wairimu

              NA Lekopien

                David NA Cynthia Kyalo

               NA Thayu Macharia

               NA Samuel Wafula

3.       WINNERS AND PRIZE DISTRIBUTION

1.1.  Prestige Category

Position	Player	Score	Cash Prize (KES)
Men
1	FM Harold Wanyama	6 Points	40,000.00 + Trophy
1	CM Ben Magana	6 Points	40,000.00
3	Chitundu Limbikani	5.5 Points	20,000.00
4	Misiko Ezekiel	4.5 Points	11,250.00
4	Egesa Emmanuel	4.5 Points	11,250.00
Women
1	WCM Joyce Nyaruai	4.5 Points	50,000.00 + Trophy
2	Jumba Gloria	4 Points	20,000.00
3	Jully Mutisya	3.5 Points	10,000.00
4	Glenda Madelta	3 Points	3,750.00
4	Obondo Cynthia	3 Points	3,750.00
Best U2000	Methu Joseph	4 Points	2,500.00
Best U1800	Irungu Brian	4 Points	2,000.00

 

1.2.  U1800 Category

 

Position	Player	Score	Cash Prize (KES)
1	Maigua Joseph	5.5 Points	20,000.00
2	Kionga Anthony	5 Points	7,833.00
2	Kagiri Martin	5 Points	7,833.00
2	Michuki Francis	5 Points	7,833.00
5	Misiko Hugh	4.5 Points	2,500.00
6	Waiganjo Kenneth	4 Points	1,750.00
6	Ombui Paul	4 Points	1,750.00
8	Kalema Jackson	3.5 Points	1,500.00
Best U1700	Billy Timothy	4 Points	2,000.00
Best U1600	Charles Cleophas	3.5 Points	1,500.00

3.  U1600 Category

Position	Player	Score	Cash Prize (KES)
Men
1	Muchugu Christian	6 Points	7,500.00
2	Moses Bejon	6 Points	7,500.00
3	Buyela Brian	5.5 Points	2,750.00
3	Githui Victor	5.5 Points	2,750.00
5	Ngigi Kelvin	5 Points	2,000.00
6	Nyakundi Zadock	4.5 Points	250.00
6	Omosa Fredrick	4.5 Points	250.00
6	Jamie Obora	4.5 Points	250.00
6	Muli Raphael	4.5 Points	250.00
6	Christian Fernandes	4.5 Points	250.00
6	Shah Shubh	4.5 Points	250.00
Women
1	Matei Veronicah	5.5 Points	10,000.00
2	Cherono Mercy	5 Points	5,000.00
3	Mwashe Yvonne	4.5 Points	2,750.00
3	Kung'u Ann	4.5 Points	2,750.00
5	Hannah Zion	4 Points	300.00
5	Kosgey Sheila	4 Points	300.00
5	Jemutai Aurelia	4 Points	300.00
5	Naliaka Venessa	4 Points	300.00
5	Harun Hellen	4 Points	300.00
5	Genevieve Maashao	4 Points	300.00
Best U1500	Mwangi Samuel	4.5 Points	1,500.00
Best Unrated	Shuaib Ishmael	4.5 Points	1,500.00

 

  4.       INCIDENT REPORT

There were no incidents during the event that warrant reporting in this section. Matters arbitration and organization were dealt with adequately and competently during the tournament running.

5.       CONCLUSION & PICTORIALS

Total number of players were 170. The event was successful with six (6) federations represented mainly Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Uganda, Lesotho and Zambia, setting the pace for future East Africa Open Chess tournaments.

Asst. Chief Arbiter IA/FI James Kang’aru, Arbiters; NA Thayu Macharia, NA Cynthia Kyalo, FA Faith Wairimu, NA Leikopien David and Chief Arbiter IA/IO Tony Sembei.

More East Africa Open 2022 event pictures may be found on Lighthouse Chess Club social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, twitter)

Website: www.lighthousechessclub.com  Or click this link https://cutt.ly/qGGPDP6

To our partners and supporters – ‘Thank You’ for making the event a huge success.