Today was all about surviving.
I got a good position against Martin Njoroge. It was semi-cruise control. Then I lost control of the position with a badly judged pseudo-breakthrough pawn move (f4?). I totally underestimated the dynamics of letting Martin’s light-squared bishop out of ‘Covid-containment’. This constitutes the worst OTB decision I have made in this tournament so far.
Despite being the exchange up, I could make no headway, and if anything, I could have ended up in big big trouble. As it was, I managed to save my ass with a well-calculated sequence in the rook endgame.
The only problem is that Martin Njoroge made a dubious decision with his Rc2. I was already in the ‘agree draw’ mindset as I had experienced one too many dangerous adventures in this game. I completely failed to realise that the endgame was won for me!
See the position below…from Black’s point of view. All I had to do was play 58……. Kf6! (I did not see it at all…I was not even looking for it…I was just looking to end the anxiety with a draw). {if White then queens 59 g8=Q then Rh3 is mate! – Editor}. This gives one vital tempo for the black King to approach and support the advanced black pawns; the black Rook is ready to sacrifice itself for the white Pawn. Draw.
I totally manhandled Hillary Sagwa. He didn’t have a chance.
So for me, it is actually mission accomplished. I had set myself the target of playing good chess and finishing with a respectable result. Even if I lose tomorrow, I am guaranteed 3rd prize at worst. If I get anything more than that, it will be a welcome bonus.
It should be a very big game vs CM Ben Magana tomorrow in the final round.
Looking forward to it.
Day 4 report on the 2021 Kenya National Chess Championship by Mehul Gohil.
Day 2 Report on the 2021 Kenya National Chess Championship by Mehul Gohil.
Zadock Nyakundi holds CM Ben Magana to a draw in round one of the 2021 Kenya National Chess Championship.
Preview of The Kenya Chess Championship 2021.
2021 Kenya National Chess Championship on chess-results.com
Who will win the 2021 Kenya National Championship by Mehul Gohil.
Standings & Results of the 2019 Kenya National
2019 Kenya National Chess Championship Day 4.
PGNs for Open Section rounds 1 to 9.
PGNs for Ladies Section rounds 1 to 9.
2019 Kenya National Chess Championship Day 3.
2019 Kenya National Chess Championship -Rules & Regulations.
Video of Closing Ceremony 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
Day 4 – 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
Day 3 – 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
2018 Kenya National Chess Championship standings and results.
Day 2 – 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
Day 1 – 2018 Kenya National Chess Championship.
