The Gambia Chess Federation on Sunday concluded the 2016 national chess championship finals, held at the KMC Hall in Kanifing.
Twenty players from different chess clubs across the country booked a place to the Sunday finals. The preliminary qualifiers were held in February, but only sixteen players were present during the weekend final.
Meanwhile, it was a daylong stiff contest between the finalists, who played over five rounds of matches, happening for the first time in recent years.
Favourite Ebrima Bah, alias Kuru Boy, failed to win the ultimate price; instead this time he jointly finished top with Momodou Lamin Sowe with each scoring four points.
Ousainou Garber and Jimmy K Kaba also tied on 2nd position with three and half points each, while third place went to Sait Nyang, Ismaila Nyang and Sang Jatta all with 3 points.
As winners, Ebrima Bah and Momodou Lamin Sowe each received D15, 000; Ousainou Garber and Jimmy K Kaba were given D10, 000 each. Third place finishers Sait Nyang, Ismaila Nyang and Sang Jatta all received D1000 each
Meanwhile all the participants were awarded a certificate during the closing ceremony.
Speaking early, the President of The Gambia Chess Federation, Alhaji Antouman Njie said the reason for organising this national championship is that they don’t only want to stop in the Greater Banjul Area.
The game of chess, he said, is very important for the youth of the country.
by Jainaba D Jatta