Elvis Likoko wins Terrian Challenge Match

Elvis  Likoko aka ‘The Matecian‘ came from 2 games down to beat Ricky ‘Tricky’ Sang 4-2 in the Ultimate Terrian Challenge Match held at the imposing Ole-Sereni Hotel. The event organised by Terrian Chess Academy ran from 11th to 13th December and saw Elvis Likoko walk away with KES 100,000 (USD 900).
The African Chess Confederation President Lewis Ncube from Zambia presided over the award ceremony.  He was accompanied by the Chess Kenya President Benard Wanjala alongside other dignitaries from Ghana and Botswana.
On day 1, Ricky Sang won both games to lead the 6-game series 2-0. It was at this stage deemed improbable that Elvis Likoko would garner the grit to stage a comeback against the seasoned national team player and Olympian.  However, in Likoko’s camp, they kept their faith in him and postulated that he was giving Ricky a head start!
At this stage, the pundits started believing the new kid on the block was up to something! The reality of that supposition began to manifest itself as Likoko, seemingly having exorcised the ghosts of the first two rounds, struck back in game three and won with the white pieces. He then commandeered his black army to victory in game 4 to tie the match at 2 each.
It was the pressure of game five that was hovering heavily on Ricky’s mind as he pushed his white pieces forward but lost uncharacteristically as Likoko mounted a coup-d’état to take the lead for the first time! Ricky was now in a position where he had to win on demand to take the match into a playoff. Likoko however would have none of it as he extended his lead to 4 straight games, thus condemning Ricky to oblivion.
Text by Brian Kidula.
Photo credits Rongoey Allan.
Links
Terrian Challenge Match on chess-results.com
Mehul Gohil v Brian Toboso Match organised by Terrian Chess Academy.

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