Russian 2018 Boss Vladimirovich Set For Africa Youth Tourney

NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Russia Deputy Prime Minister, Arkady Vladimirovich, will be the chief guest at the ongoing Africa Youth Chess Championships in Kisumu on Friday.

African Chess Confederation President, Lewis Ncube, who will preside over the closing ceremony on Saturday, will accompany Vladimirovich, who was also the Russia 2018 Fifa World Cup Local Organising Committee chairman.

“This is a great honour to Africa chess fraternity. The visit has also elevated Kisum’s status as a potential sports tourism site,” Chess Kenya President, Bernard Wanjala, announced.

Wanjala is happy with the progress of Kenyan players at the competition that rests on Wednesday following completion of round five on Tuesday evening.

“We will take the players for a tour of Kisumu where they will visit historic sites like the legendary Kit Mikayi, Kisumu Museum, Impala Sanctuary, Hippo Point and Lake Victoria,” highlighted Wanjala.

Kenyan Samuel Wanjala has shone in the boys Under 10 category at the event that acts as a qualifier for World Youth Chess Championships in Turkey in December 2018.

Wanjala, Egyptian top seed, Kantil Ahmed and Govedan Kaidan of South Africa have four points apiece.

Playing well

“Samuel has been playing well. He lost only in the second of the five rounds played so far. We hope that he will be a medal prospect after round nine on Saturday,” Wanjala hailed.

Niaya Gosrani is also tied in second place at 3.5 apiece with Amina Lila Mohammed of Egypt in girls Under 14 that is led by Hazel Mdodo of Zimbabwe on four.

Reuben Githaiga is third with four in boys Under 12 that is topped by Dhamer Ahmed of Egypt with 4.5.

Tracy Njoki and Hadjout Ilina of Algeria have accumulated 3.5 each to tie in second in girls Under 8.

The Kenyan contingent of 58 is battling for top honours with contestants from 12 countries across the globe. The event has attracted 174.

Egyptian International Master, Kandil Adham, who is the highest ranked player at 2290, is facing stiff competition from Algerias Aaroun Saadi and Ugandan Matovu Abel.

Algerian World Fide Master, Nassr Rania, is headlining girls U18 category. Hot on her heels are Uganda's Nansubuga Gloria, South African Wolmarans Riekie and Kenya's Dorcas Wanjala.

The boys U16 has two Fide Masters and one Candidate Master from Algeria and South Africa respectively.

Kisumu County Sports and Tourism Minister, Achie Alai, who opened the contest last Sunday noted:

“The game of chess has travelled the length and breadth of the globe and found devotees of every race, creed and nationality and therefore we should be very proud of ourselves for carrying out this wonderful tradition.