The journey to Africa School Chess Championships starts tomorrow during the Kenya National Schools Individual Chess Championships at the Mang’u High School.
Chess Kenya (CK) President Bernard Wanjala said that they are ready with the preparations, waiting for the players to arrive from all parts of the country to battle for the national titles and later represent the country at the continental championships set for May 22nd to May 29th in Mombasa.
“This is normally the largest group of players that host. As a federation, we are expecting at least 7,000 players from across the country to face off. We expect a tough competition so that we can also [resent a formidable team for the continent,” said Wanjala.
According to the list presented by Friday morning, the competition will feature under 7 boys and girls, under 9 boys and girls, under 11 boys and girls, under 13 boys and girls, under 15 boys and girls and the highest is the under 17 boys and girls who will battle for the crown.
With the circular released last week, the players must travel on Friday April 4th, with technical meeting on April 5th, and first round set for April 5th at 10:00am. After lunch, they play round 2 and 3 in the afternoon.
Round 4-6 will be played on Sunday April 6th, followed by 7-9 on Monday and the final day of the championships, then prizes in the evening before players taking a rest and traveling on Tuesday morning.
The circular indicated that only Individuals who are school students (including those who finished recently and home schooled) and who are Kenya Residents who participated in an official regional qualifier are eligible to participate in this Championship in various age categories.
“Players who are Foreign Nationals residents who would like to participate in international events under CKF as Additional Players must participate but will not be eligible to be awarded National Champion Title.”
“No direct entries shall be entertained in any circumstances. National champions defending their respective age groups have personal right to enter into national championship (b) Each region will enter players with two (2) points or more shortlisted by CKF after their regional qualifiers in each of the 12 age groups.”
For those entitled to play, the participants both boys & girls shall not have reached the age of 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17.