It was a successful outing for team Kenya at the 2017 World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad Championships in India and Africa Youth Under 16 Chess Championships in Egypt.
The ten member team from India returned in the country on Thursday morning with hope of joining big ratings in the world.
Led by Meshack Kipkemboi Rop, a Form Three student at St. Patrick’s High school was picked from the airport by his coach cum teacher Shem Atiagaga Vilembwa after arriving at Eldoret International Airport full of happiness after a successful competition.
Kipkemboi traveled to India as a bench player, zero rating but harvested big in the championships returning home with 1600 rating, a few rating away from world Grand Master Carlsen Magnus with 2800 rating in Chess sports.
Kipkemboi finished the championships as third best player in Africa led by South African Vusimuzi Mlahleki team A and Women Fide Master Engelbrecht Hanri in team B, after winning four out of six competitions he participated.
“ Am happy I won the championships since I was playing amongst top ranking chess player in the world. I thank the governor for honouring and supporting me to travel to India for the championship,” said Kipkemboi.
Shem, who did not travel with the team to India, instead, he was the official coach at the Africa Youth Under 16 Chess team to Egypt, said Kipkemboi has the power to play with candidate Masters across the world.
“He travelled with zero rating and returned with a new international Chess rating (ELO) of 1600, meaning he not far from International master Magnus (Carlsen) who has 2800 rating. If he reaches 2500 rating, automatically becomes the grand master. He is now rated in senior category,” said Shem, the coach for African Youth Chess Championships.
Apart from being a player, Kipkemboi was honoured by Elgeyo Marakwet county government through governor Alex Tolgos as the Outstanding Student Sports player in Chess during the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Kipkemboi said he is happy that he performed well despite all the challenges of travelling, but he attributes his win to the governor, who paid Air ticket to the championships.
“The boy was faced with challenges. He missed air ticket but governor (Tolgos) paid ahead of the Olympiad championships,” added Shem.
Shem was the official team Kenya coach during the Africa Youth Chess Championships in Giza, Egypt where he guided Fathima Mohideen to win gold in girls’ under 12. he was also invited for World Youth Championships to be stage in Greece 2018.
He was the best in Kenyan team, playing for Team Ndovu that comprised of Timothy Billy (Alliance), Edna Wangari (Alliance), Sylvia Wahito (Bishop Gatimu) and Hardiv Karania (Oshwal).
Team Simba comprised of Candidate Master Aravind Vengarai (Premier Academy), Jeff Gichuhi (Elimu Light School, Candidate Master Timothy Mwabu (Alliance), Dorcus Wanjala (Matunda), Kishi Shah (Premier).
Kipkemboi’s career started way back while in Form one 2015 following his motivation after winning each game they played in school. Through his winning and playing against his school mates boosted his energy to play more.
He was accompanied by 2016 national U8 champion and African Youth champion participant Laurencia Minage, a pupil in Immacualte Juniorate.