Growing the game

Text and photos: Chess Kenya

Jadon Simiyu and Jully Mutisya were crowned the new Kenya National chess champions following a highly competitive and professionally organized Kenya National Chess Championship 2025. The event was held at the Westwood Hotel in Westlands from December 26 to 31. The six-day event brought together the country's strongest players in a demanding classical format that showcased the depth, discipline, and growing maturity of Kenyan chess.

The championship was contested over 11 rounds under standard classical time control, with competitors playing two games per day. This rigorous schedule tested not only opening preparation and endgame technique, but also physical endurance, emotional resilience and sustained concentration.

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Throughout the week, the playing hall witnessed intense battles, gruelling endgames and decisive moments that shaped careers and the future of Kenyan chess.

The stakes were among the highest in the nation's chess history. In a landmark move reflecting Chess Kenya's strong commitment to gender equity, both the Open and Ladies Section champions received brand-new cars. Additionally, all participants in both sections earned guaranteed cash prizes, ensuring every qualifier was rewarded for reaching the national stage.

Beyond the prizes, the championship served as Kenya's official selection event for international representation. At the conclusion of the 11 rounds, the top five players in both the Open and Ladies sections qualified to represent Kenya at the 46^th Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The championship produced a defining and historic moment for Kenyan chess when 13-year-old Jadon Simiyu emerged as the winner in the open section. Displaying remarkable composure and consistency throughout the tournament, Simiyu handled the pressure of elite classical chess with maturity far beyond his years. Already Kenya's youngest-ever FIDE Master, a title he earned earlier in 2025 after winning the Quo Vadis Open Chess Championship in Nyeri, Simiyu once again rewrote the record books in Westlands.

By navigating the grueling 11-round marathon with precision and confidence, he became the youngest Kenya National Chess Champion in history, a result that signals not just individual brilliance but the arrival of a new generation ready to carry Kenyan chess forward on the global stage.

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Final standings – Open

Full technical information on Chess-Results

The Ladies Section delivered its own compelling narrative. WCM Julie Mutisya demonstrated resilience, determination, and true championship mentality. After an early setback in round two against WCM Bella Nashipae, Mutisya responded with disciplined, purposeful play, steadily climbing the standings as the competition progressed.

Entering the final round, the situation was clear and unforgiving: only a win would secure the title, with WFM Sasha Mongeli and Nicole Albright still in contention. Fully aware of the stakes, Mutisya rose to the occasion, winning her final game under pressure to deservedly claim the 2025 Kenya National Ladies Chess Championship.

Final standings – Ladies

Full technical information on Chess-Results

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I am FRITZ, and I have been redefining the world of chess for over 30 years.
I am FRITZ, and I have been redefining the world of chess for over 30 years. Whether in New York against Garry Kasparov or in Bonn in a 4:2 victory against the then world champion Vladimir Kramnik, millions of chess fans followed my ‘man versus machine’ duels. And even after 30 years, I'm still in top form: in 2023, I won the official chess software world championship and in 2024, I won the vice world championship title!

A notable highlight of the championship was the dominance of Equity Chess Club, as both national champions are theirs. This achievement underlined the club's growing influence within Kenyan and African chess. In 2025, Equity Chess Club also made continental headlines as the only African corporate team to participate in the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship held in Goa in November, marking a historic milestone for African corporate chess representation and reinforcing the club's role in elite player development.

With the conclusion of the 2025 National Championship, Chess Kenya now turns its focus toward preparing its Olympiad teams, strengthening high-performance training structures, and further developing the national competitive pathway. Key priorities include providing international exposure ahead of Samarkand 2026 and reinforcing the Grand Prix circuit to deepen competition and identify emerging talent. Under the leadership of President Benard Wanjala, deputised by Andrew Owili, the federation remains committed to building a sustainable, competitive and internationally respected chess ecosystem.

As Kenya looks toward the World Chess Olympiad 2026, the 2025 National Championship will be remembered as a defining milestone, one that crowned new champions, showcased extraordinary young talent, and reaffirmed Kenya's growing presence and ambition on the global chess stage.

All available games - Open and Ladies'

Links

• Chess Kenya
• GM David Smerdon explores the chess scene in Kenya