Teen prodigy Mcligeyo crowned Kenyan chess king, drives off in Sh1.8m car
Teenage chess sensation Robert Mcligeyo (left) poses for a photo with the brand new Nissan note car he won after clinching the 2024 Kenya National Chess Championship title on December 15, 2024. On the right is Chess Kenya Federation president Bernard Wanjala.
What you need to know:
- His meteoric rise and this year’s KNCC victory have firmly established him as one of Kenya’s brightest chess prospects.
- With his eyes now set on becoming a Grand Master, Mcligeyo continues to inspire young players across the country.
Teenage chess sensation Robert Mcligeyo has joined the league of car owners following his impressive victory in the 2024 Kenya National Chess Championship (KNCC) that concluded on Sunday at Makini School in Nairobi.
In keeping with tradition, the Chess Kenya Federation (CKF) awarded the 18-year-old Candidate Master (CM) a brand-new Nissan Note car worth Sh1.8 million. Woman Fide Master Sasha Mongeli successfully defended her title in the ladies' section, walking away with a cash prize of Sh100,000.
Mcligeyo's triumph in the 2024 KNCC did not come as a surprise, as he has been on a meteoric rise in the sport.
The KCB Chess Club star clinched the coveted title after topping the open section with eight points, ahead of his teammate Jackson Ndegwa, who garnered 7.5 points. The teenager dethroned his former coach, Joseph Methu, who had previously held the title.
Before his stellar performance at this year’s competition, Mcligeyo had already achieved remarkable feats. In January last year, he made history by becoming Kenya’s youngest chess top seed at only 17 years old. At the time, he shared the top spot in the local standings with CM and veteran player-cum-coach Ben Magana.
At the 2024 Budapest Olympiad in September, Mcligeyo further stunned the chess world by holding Chinese-Ukrainian Grand Master (GM) Li Min Peng to a draw. In chess—a game of strategy and intellect—GM is the highest honour a player can attain.
Heading into this year’s KNCC, Mcligeyo had a Fide Elo rating of 1992, ranking him as Kenya’s fourth-best chess player. CM Ben Magana (2069), Kaloki Hawi (2020), and Mehul Gohil (1995) were ranked ahead of him in that order.
Mcligeyo, a former national junior champion, clinched the title unbeaten. He showcased his dominance by defeating Shem Aberi (1738), Hadem Nyamiaka (1785), Felix Boera (1891), Brian Kadenge (1843), CM Aguda Lwanga (1845), and Methu (1976). The firstborn in a family of three siblings also drew against Hillary Sagwa (1854) and Allan Chumba (1832).
Mcligeyo’s journey to chess excellence started unexpectedly in 2017. In an interview with Nation Sport in February last year, the former Alpha Chess Club and Nairobi Chess Club player revealed how a delay at school sparked his interest in the game.
“One afternoon, my parents failed to pick me up on time at Logos Christian School where I was studying. The delay was caused by a violent demonstration by students at the nearby University of Nairobi. With nothing to do, I opted to join the chess club members for their session on that day,” he recalled.
Since then, chess has become Mcligeyo’s passion and calling.
“I aim to be a GM by the age of 25,” said the teenager, whose latest success is a testament to his dedication and growing prowess in the sport.
His meteoric rise and this year’s KNCC victory have firmly established him as one of Kenya’s brightest chess prospects. With his eyes now set on becoming a Grand Master, Mcligeyo continues to inspire young players across the country.
