Match “Nairobi vs Crewe” 2024
11 members of Nairobi Chess Club (NCC) had the privilege to play an overseas online match against the prestigious Crewe Chess Club (CCC) from England. The match took place on March 3rd.
Actually, it was the fourth match because both teams already played in 2021, 2022 and 2023 with two victories for Nairobi.
Both clubs met for the first time in February 2021 in an online match whose score favoured Nairobi (14-6).
Another defeat followed in 2022 (23,5 – 16,5) but in 2023 Crewe took revenge with a clear victory (13-21).
This year Nairobi came well prepared and took a new victory (12-10).
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All games were played online on lichess using a time control of 25 min + 10 s increment.
The match consisted of 2 games/player (Black & White) against the same opponent. Pairings were arranged according to FIDE and ECF (English Chess Federation) ratings.
The result of the match was 12-10 for Nairobi Chess Club, making an overall score of 3-1 for Nairobi.
The match evolved smoothly and all participants enjoyed the games and the cordial atmosphere between both clubs. Some participants are even veterans, having taken part in previous editions.
Both clubs are proud of this cordial but competitive atmosphere and are already looking forward for next year clash.
Final Results
| NAIROBI | 12 – 10 | CREWE |
| Peter Gilruth | 1,5 – 0,5 | Simon Layhe |
| Roberto Villuela | 0,5 – 1,5 | Phil Seery |
| Seth Osiru | 1 – 1 | Dave Price |
| Jay Naker | 2 – 0 | Martin Frisher |
| Viacheslav Chvoro | 0,5 – 1,5 | Joe Moxon |
| Jackim Arigi | 1 – 1 | George Bulbeck |
| Johnmark Mugo | 0,5 – 1,5 | Pawel Stanny |
| Cyril Teddy | 1 – 1 | Jamie Roberts |
| Denis Chiedo | 2 – 0 | Phil Grocott |
| Joshua Wnago | 1 – 1 | Mark Randell |
| Nisha Bhavsar | 1 – 1 | Matthew Dean |
All games of this match:
The huge expectation created by these matches has impelled both clubs to establish this match as an annual event in their calendars.
Nairobi Chess Club established a tradition for international online matches when in 2009 organized an online 6-board match against Wageningen Chess Club (The Netherlands).
Now, 15 years later, and in an interval of 3 years, NCC has played 10 online international matches with more than 10 boards each time. The one against Crewe in 2022, breaking the record with 20 boards (!!)
Being founded in 1958, Nairobi Chess Club is the oldest chess club in East Africa, and also leader in approaching not only chess to people, but also approaching people through chess.
