James Panchol wins the 3rd Jamhuri Cup
James Panchol wins the 3rd Jamhuri Cup
James Panchol is the winner of the 3rd edition of the Jamhuri Cup.
The event run over the weekend of 7th & 8th December and had 14 players taking part at the historic Goan Gymkhana Club. The tournament had a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.
Nairobi Chess Club Treasurer Robeto Villuela presents the winner’s shield to James Panchol. Photo credit Kim Bhari.
The average rating of the event was 1505.
James Panchol defeated Mushfig Habilov & Lawrence Kagambi in round 1 and 2 respectively. He then overcame Meerabbas Afzali and Harmony Odhiambo in the final two rounds.
James Panchol took home KES 7,000 on top of having his name engraved on the Jamhuri Cup shield.
James Panchol in action. Photo credit Kim Bhari.
Defending champion Peter Gilruth lost to Harmony Odhiambo which was a major upset.
Peter Giruth v Harmony Odhiambo
Mushfig Habilov v James Panchol
Lawrence Kagambi had a tough encounter against his teammate Samuel Kimani in round 3.
Samuel Kimani of Nairobi Gymkhana Chess Club in action during the 3rd Jamhuri Cup.
Larry Kagambi v Sameul Kimani
Meaning of ‘Jamhuri’
This event celebrates Kenya’s independence day from Britain, which took place on 12th December 1963. Kenyans celebrate 12th of December as ‘Jamhuri Day‘.
It was Nairobi Chess Club’s fourth FIDE rated event for 2019. Other rated tournaments included the 9th Capablanca Cup, Le Pelley Cup and the 61st Nairobi Chess Club Championship.
View of the playing hall.
This event was a welcome alternative to those players who could not take part in the Kenya National Chess Championship, which ran from 11th to 15th December 2019.
The Kenya National Championship is limited only to players who are Kenyan citizens and ran over five days.
Players of the 3rd Jamhuri Cup poses for a group photo. From left Sameul Kimani, Kim Bhari, Lawrence Kagambi, James Panchol, Peter Schupp, Meerabbas Afzali, Roberto Villuela, Harmony Odhiambo and NA Hellen Wambui who was the arbiter.
List of winners
Group A
James Panchol KES 7,000 plus name engraved on shield.
Harmony Odiambo – KES 625.
Lawrence Kagambi – KES 625.
Roberto Villuela – KES 625.
Peter Gilruth – KES 625.
Group B
Jay Naker KES – 1,625.
Meerabbas Afzali – KES 1,625.
Peter Schupp – KES 1,625.
Samuel Nganga – KES 1,625.
Past winners
1st edition – 2017 – Peter Gilruth.
2nd edition – 2018 – Peter Gilruth.
3rd edition – 2019 – James Panchol.
Links
Details of 3rd Jamhuri Cup released.
Peter Gilruth retains Jamhuri Cup.
