Kenya’s Grand Master Allan Oyende has taken an early lead on his way to defend the Scrabble Kenya title in Eldoret today.
The Stima Club member will be chasing a back to back title at the SK series after winning the Murang’a title last month.
Oyende won 9 out of 11 matches ahead of tomorrow’s final matches where each player will play 18 matches.
He lost the first game to Francis Wachira at match 4 before losing the second game to former SK captain Bernard Amuke in game 10.
Last year, during the championships he beat former world champion Wellington Jighere from Nigeria for the title.
Even after losing the East, Central and Southern Africa (ECASA) title to compatriot Patrick Nderitu Gitonga where Kenya swept the podium with David Kimani in third position held in Gaborone, Botswana over Easter Weekend, won 13 out of 18 games to be crowned the champion in a highly competitive event that attracted 16 players in the premier Division.
He will also be seeking a slot by earning many points in the Scrabble Kenya ahead of Africa Scrabble Championships that will be staged in Freetown, Sierra Leone Come September 23rd to 27th.
In Murang’a he collected 1894 points beating day one leader Bernard Koyyoko to second with 271 points as ECASA champion Nderitu Gitonga completed the podium.
Top ten round one results
- Allan Oyende (GM)
- Francis Wachira
- Manase Otieno
- Richard Okechi
- Muema Muumbi
- Daniel Machanje
- Bernard Amuke
- Ian Oyoo
- Kepha Mukonyi
- Hillary Busienei