Schachklub Kriegshaber triumphs over Nairobi Chess Club
In a recent online match, Schachklub Kriegshaber (SKK) of Germany won against Nairobi Chess Club (NCC).
10 members of NCC had the privilege to play in the match which took place on July 27, 18:00 (Kenya time) / 17:00 (Germany time).
Conditions of the match
All games were played online on Chess.Com with time control of 25 min + 10 s increment.
As usual as in previous online matches organized by NCC, all participants played 2 games (B&W) and pairings were arranged according to FIDE ratings.
Additionally, in pre-match arrangements captains agreed on the following conditions:
In round one Nairobi should play the white pieces.
Players with White should set up and sent the first challenge to their opponents.
After first game players could take a short break for refocusing on the next game.
In any case, second game should not start later that 90 min after official start of the match.
Although the score 9 – 11 was favorable to SKK, our players presented an intense fight in almost all boards.
Only Nairobi’s player on board 9 (Ryan Kimani) won by default of his opponent.
What happened at the start?
Unfortunately, the match was not free of irregularities, mainly due to the inexperience of some players in this type of competition:
On first board we had the most disgusting incident. Apparently irritated by his defeat, Slav’s opponent sent him racists messages. That behavior is intolerable and unacceptable. That sort of persons should immediately be banned.
On board 2, Morgan initially sent a challenge with wrong time control but it was immediately solved by the players.
Playing on board 6, Joel had problems setting up the initial challenge. Unintentionally, he sent his first challenge with wrong time control of 10 min. Because no one noticed the irregularity, the game proceeded. Only before starting the rematch the mistake was discovered and captains instructed players to set up the correct time control in the second game. After deliberation among captains, the decision was to keep the result of first game even though players used a wrong time control.
Simultaneously playing and supervising games is a tough task. Christian Hilfreich (SKK captain) found himself in that situation playing on board 7. Because of initial irregularities on some boards, he wasted valuable time in his games.
An initial confusion occurred on board 9 where Ryan sent his challenge to a wrong opponent. After warnings sent from the captains, he aborted that game. Unfortunately, it happened that Ryan’s correct opponent (Ilizia) failed to connect and was offline for more than 2 hours, therefore losing both games by default.
But all in all, the meeting proceeded in a friendly atmosphere and it was a useful learning experience.
After the match players expressed their satisfaction with the course of the event.
Final Scores
| NAIROBI |
9-11 |
KRIEGSHABER |
| Viacheslav Chvoro |
2-0 |
Michael Gratze |
| Morgan Muchoki |
1-1 |
Lothar Weimer |
| Nisha Bhavsar |
0,5-1,5 |
Tomas Reschka |
| Mercy Thiga |
0-2 |
Christian Mayr |
| Brian Mwangi |
0-2 |
Matvey Loichenko |
| Joel Odemu |
0,5-1,5 |
Michael Trimpl |
| William Kibe |
2-0 |
Christian Hilfrich |
| Jonah Terry |
0-2 |
Susanne Bulmer |
| Ryan Kimani |
2-0 |
Iliza Ramanzanova |
| Arthur Keya |
1-1 |
Nicolas Kreisberger |
The Players
At NCC we envision our online matches as a way to bring together chess enthusiasts from other clubs, play friendly games and have a chance to establish relations with people from other places.
Because of that, we put great emphasis on the initial step of the match when players exchange usernames and greeting the opponent.
In this match players exchanged introductory profile messages with their opponents which help to know each other a little bit better.
Remarkably the participation of juniors on both teams. The increasing presence of juniors is becoming a general tendency in chess nowadays. For German SKK played Michael Trimpl (age 10), while Ryan Kimani (age 12) played for NCC team.
Schackklub Kriegshaber
Michael Gratze
|
I’m retired.
I have a passion for Birds and music and I love also to collect records.
For 36 years I have played chess and my highest rating was 2245
|
 Michael Gratze |
Lothar Weimer
|
I’m a retired police officer. Until October 2023 I worked at the Crime Investigation Unit in the city of Augsburg and the job was quite demanding.
I enjoy reading books, journals and newspapers and I’m also very interested in politics, astronomy, computers and sciences.
At the age of 8 I learned chess from my grandfather but only entered a chess club when I was 20. Since then I frequently play in tournaments and team matches.
I am married and have two children, a son (17) and a daughter (13)
|
 Lothar Weimer (63) |
Tomas Reschka
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My profession/line of work is Software developer.
My hobbies are Hiking, Table Tennis and Football.
For more than 30 years I have been playing chess.
As a kid I was a singer with the Augsburg Cathedral Boys’ Choir
|
 Tomas Reschka. Photo credit: SKK |
Christian Mayr
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I’m working as a Project Manager in Technology Sports.
My favorite hobby is Cooking and I play chess for more than 20 years
|
 Christian Mayr. Photo credit: SKK |
Matvey Loichenko
|
I’m studying to become a social pedagogue and also working in a kindergarten.
One of my main hobbies is weightlifting.
Since I was 5 I’ve been playing chess. Before I used to compete professionally, but nowadays I treat it more as a hobby.
For a long time chess has been a part of my life. Although I don’t compete anymore, it still helps me think strategically and stay focused.
|
Matvey Loichenko |
Michael Trimpl
|
I am currently 10 years old and will soon be starting high school.
My main hobbies are Basketball and table tennis.
I have been played chess for 2,5 years.
I am fluent in Chinese and I can also play Chinese chess.
Recently I won the title of Bavarian U12 Blitz Champion.
|
 Michael Trimpl (10). Photo credit: SKK |
Christian Hilfrich
|
My job is financial analyst / business controller in an electricity company.
I have many hobbies: Traveling, hiking, collecting old coins, going to concerts…
About 5 years ago, during corona lockdown, I started with chess.
I have a Ukrainian family, wife and 9 year old daughter. After school I worked as police officer and lived in the United States
|
 Christian Hilfrich (48). Photo credit: SKK |
Susanne Bulmer
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My work is at school for children with special needs in the age of 6 to 10.
Since 5 years I have been playing chess in our club and since 2 years I am trying to teach our pupils chess and it looks like they are enjoying it.
In chess my main effort is to get more women interested in the game.
My other hobbies are swimming and hiking.
|
 Susanne Bulmer |
Iliza Ramanzanova
|
I’m a Biological physicist, and online tutor for mathematics and physics.
I like swimming, riding a bike, traveling, reading novels/detectives.
Since 2-3 years I’m playing chess.
Apart of that I used to write poems, perform on stage, participate in competitions and win prizes.
|
 Iliza Ramanzanova |
Nicolas Kreisberger
|
I’m a student at the Rudolf-Diesel-Gymnasium.
Besides chess I love playing the piano, meeting up with friends, playing football and dancing.
I started playing chess one year ago.
My other relevant activities are drawing and playing piano what I have done for about 11 years.
|
 Nicolas Kreisberger |
Nairobi Chess Club
Viacheslav Chvoro
 Viacheslav Chvoro (47). Photo credit: Kim Bhari |
I am not Kenyan, but living here for several years already, have family here.
Since childhood I have been playing chess, but not seriously while adult. However I believe it is not late to prove my serious ambitions now!
I like music also, playing piano and guitar a bit, and even wrote a published book “The Faith in Great Composers’ Lives”
|
Morgan Muchoki
 Morgan Muchoki (20) |
I’m a campus student studying Computer science.
I enjoy swimming and basketball but chess is my main hobby. I love studying new openings and complicated endgames.
One evening in High School I stumbled upon the game. After quickly learning how to move the pieces, then proceeded to get beaten by everyone there. This ignited a fire in me to get good at the game. Eventually I got my revenge and now I play a few tournaments when I’m not stuck debugging code.
I really enjoyed the tournament and looking forward to more games with our German pals.
|
Nisha Bhavsar
 Nisha Bhavsar. Photo credit: Kim Bhari |
I run an online business specializing in premium nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
Chess is a big part of my life and you’ll likely find me at a chessboard mostly online games during my off-work hours.
Two years ago I joined NCC and it’s become my little escape from the hustle and bustle!
Although I don’t have a ton of hobbies, if I had the time, I would choose badminton, my go-to hobby back then.
|
Mercy Thiga
 Mercy Thiga |
Currently in attachment as a final year Computer Science student.
Hobby: outdoor thrilling activities.
During COVID period I started playing chess, then picked it up as my favorite sport after joining campus.
Fun fact: I enjoyed learning the German language for four years while in school. Thus I’m so happy to play my fav sport with German team.
|
Brian Mwangi
Brian Mwangi |
Fell in love with computers at a young age and that has been my track ever since. Studied computer science and now code and develop all day long.
My hobbies are reading (Classic literature of course). Just finished some Dostoevsky. And also chess and music.
As for chess, started like 5 years ago and it’s been growing on me ever since and I enjoy it thoroughly.
|
Joel Odemu
 Joel Odemu (40) |
Since I was in primary school I have been playing chess intermittently.
I appreciate all the preparations made to play against Kriegshaber and I am sure it will be an exciting time.
|
William Kibe
 William Kibe (25) |
I’m an accountant in a non for profit organization advocating for the rights of girls and women.
I enjoy swimming and traveling especially exploring new places for adventure.
I was born and raised in the coastal region and after relocating to the capital for work, I discovered chess. Initially as a way to pass time and cope with the loneliness of being in a new city without friends. Over time, it became a passion and a great way to connect with others. On weekends or after work whenever I have some free time, I play chess.
|
Jonah Terry
 Jonah Terry |
I’m a student about to join university for Maths & Computer science.
My hobbies are reading, especially philosophy, making art & music sometimes.
I do volunteer to teach kids (in their early teens) chess at a school nearby. So Susanne (my opponent) and I kinda work at school.
Unlike Susanne I wouldn’t say I have a clear aim in my chess. It’s more of an interest I indulge in.
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Ryan Kimani
 Ryan Kimani(12) |
Still studying, am in Grade 7.
My hobbies are Football and basketball.
For 2 and a half years I have played chess.
For taking part in Chess Tournaments I have traveled the world to places like South Africa (June 2024), Georgia (June 2025), Mombasa (May 2025) and different parts of Kenya.
Have had memorable experiences, enjoy playing chess, made friends and Trust to become a Grandmaster and win more individual tournaments.
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Arthur Keya
 Arthur Keya |
I’m a student and completed medical school a week ago.
Besides chess, I love reading. Mostly novels. I also love cycling.
In 2020 during the pandemic, I started playing chess. For about 2 years I played consistently but not as much currently.
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Games
In all games there was an intense fight.
Despite their rating difference, NCC players showed a remarkable fighting spirit.
Below, the reader will find all games from the match.
International projection
By organizing in 2009 an online 6-board match against Wageningen Chess Club (The Netherlands), NCC started a tradition of international projection.
Now, 16 years later, and in an interval of 5 years, NCC has played 12 online international matches with at least 10 boards each time. Remarkably, the one against Crewe in 2022, broke 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.
In NCC international agenda, next goal is an online match exclusively for ladies against SKK which will take place in September
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