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Kenyan juniors ready for Africa Schools Chess Championship
Andy Zane Wright from Mirema School in action during Jabali Christian School Chess championships. He is the under-8 Open Champion.
What you need to know:
- Only podium finishers at the national championship have earned full sponsorship from the federation.
- As part of their preparations, the selected 37 players underwent a two-week specialised residential training camp during the April holidays in Diani Beach, Kwale. The camp was led by Zambian International Master Andrew Kayonde.
Some 37 budding Kenyan chess players have intensified their preparations ahead of the 2025 Africa Schools Individual Chess Championship (ASICC), scheduled to take place in Mombasa from May 22 to 29.
According to Chess Kenya president Bernard Wanjala, the prestigious tournament is expected to attract approximately 1,000 players from across the continent. South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will field the largest contingents.
Participants will compete in the Under-7, U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17 categories, across both the Open and Girls’ sections.
In addition to medals and trophies, players will vie for international chess titles and qualification slots for the 2026 World Schools Individual Chess Championship. Only the winners in each age group—Open and Girls—will earn personal qualification for the global event.
With hosts Kenya granted the privilege of entering unlimited players in each category by the African Chess Confederation, Chess Kenya has opened the door for additional players to register at their own expense. However, only those who scored at least 5.5 points at the Kenya National Schools Chess Championship held at Mang’u High School in April are eligible.
“Those who miss on the sponsored list by the federation can get sponsorship from other sources and participate,” explained Wanjala.
Only podium finishers at the national championship have earned full sponsorship from the federation.
As part of their preparations, the selected 37 players underwent a two-week specialised residential training camp during the April holidays in Diani Beach, Kwale. The camp was led by Zambian International Master Andrew Kayonde.
Now back in school, the players are continuing with online training sessions under the guidance of Russian Grandmaster Mikhail Ivanov. Locally, they are coached by veteran Kenyan player and Candidate Master Bernard Magana, alongside Moses Andiwoh.
“We have confidence in our team to perform well. Right now we are preparing them psychologically and mentally. I don’t think we can fail to get four gold medals out of the 12 that will be up for grabs,” said Andiwoh.
Wanjala emphasised the broader impact of hosting the championship.
“It exposes our players, gives them the opportunity to increase their ratings and earn titles,” he noted.
Meanwhile, eight-time Kenya Chess Premier League champions KCB are preparing for their upcoming fixture against Victoria Chess Club in Kisumu County this weekend.
“It will be a good opportunity to once again gauge our strength against the local teams. We are currently leading in the table, and we wish to maintain our unbeaten run to the end of the season,” said KCB coach Magana.
KCB recently reaffirmed their dominance after being crowned the top corporate team at the Kiambu Open Chess Tournament.
“There is tremendous improvement in the team. Everyone is working extremely hard to ensure that we continue dominating the league. We want to show that we have what it takes to reclaim the title. As we head to Kisumu, we are confident that we will have a good outing,” said Woman Fide Master Joyce Nyaruai.
KCB will, however, be without the services of teenage sensation Robert Mcligeyo, who is currently representing Kenya at the Africa Individual Chess Championship in Cairo, Egypt.
