Grand Master Allan Oyende returned into winning ways at the Mombasa championships, the National Scrabble Kenya event at the Akha Khan Academy.
The second seed player, who last anchored Word Warriors, the national scrabble team retain the ECASA title in April, won his maiden title for the last two months.
In the two day event that started yesterday concluding today, Oyende says that it was good luck that he won the title with many young players coming up, giving a challenge.
“The young people are coming up sharply, giving some of us a big challenge but a win today was great,” he said.
With the upcoming WESPAC in November in Accra, Ghana Oyende said that the events are good build up for the world show.
“Majority of us who have qualified to represent the country, the events are part of training for the Ghana showdown,” he said.
Oyende will be flying the Kenyan flag alongside Richard Okechi, Bernard Koyyoko, Michael Gongolo, Nderitu Gitonga and Willy Mwangi.
The winner started on a bad note, losing the opening match to Kipruto Tarus but recovered well with victory over Martins Mutahi.
Leader Board
Premier Round 18 Standings
| Rank | Won-Lost | Spread | Player | Last Game |
| 1 | 13½–4½ | +751 | Oyende, Allan (GM) (A2) | 2W:424-391:A8 |
| 2 | 12½–5½ | +405 | Ochola, Tony (A11) | 2W:465-404:A7 |
| 3 | 12–6 | +283 | Okechi, Richard (A8) | 1L:391-424:A2 |
| 4 | 11–7 | +582 | Mutinda, Philip (A3) | 2W:419-412:A5 |
| 5 | 11–7 | +376 | Wachira, Francis (A5) | 1L:412-419:A3 |
| 6 | 11–7 | +359 | Koyyoko, Bernard (A7) | 1L:404-465:A11 |
| 7 | 10–8 | +838 | Gongolo, Michael (EXP) (A1) | 1W:463-337:A6 |
| 8 | 10–8 | +154 | Mutahi, Martins (A4) | 2W:414-391:A9 |
| 9 | 10–8 | −85 | Njoroge, Stanley (A6) | 2L:337-463:A1 |
| 10 | 9–9 | +729 | Otieno, Manase (A10) | 2W:486-370:A20 |
| 11 | 9–9 | +224 | Oyoo, Ian (A14) | 2W:437-368:A13 |
| 12 | 9–9 | −10 | Mbugua, Nicholas (A12) | 1W:414-365:A18 |
| 13 | 9–9 | −116 | Litunya, Patrick (A9) | 1L:391-414:A4 |
| 14 | 8½–9½ | +132 | Akinyi, Wenwa (A20) | 1L:370-486:A10 |
| 15 | 8½–9½ | −494 | Busienei, Hillary (A16) | 1W:444-388:A17 |
| 16 | 8–10 | −109 | Tarus, Kipruto (A13) | 1L:368-437:A14 |
| 17 | 8–10 | −668 | Kimanthi, Benson (A18) | 2L:365-414:A12 |
| 18 | 8–10 | −767 | Githinji, Kuria (A19) | 1W:518-355:A21 |
| 19 | 7–11 | −193 | Oduor, Raphael (A17) | 2L:388-444:A16 |
| 20 | 7–11 | −341 | Machanje, Daniel (A15) | bye |
| 21 | 6–12 | −250 | Mvoi, David (A21) | 2L:355-518:A19 |
| 22 | 0–18 | −1800 | Otieno, Ian (A22) | bye |