Teenage chess players Jadon Simiyu and Jully Mutisya announced the arrival of a new generation at the summit of Kenyan chess after clinching national titles at the 2025 Kenya National Chess Championship held in Nairobi.
The six-day championship ran from December 26 to 31, 2025, at the Westwood Hotel in Westlands and featured an elite, invite-only field assembled by Chess Kenya.
The tournament brought together the country’s strongest players, who battled over 11 rounds under classical time controls in a format that tested endurance, precision, and mental strength.
Simiyu, just 13 years old, delivered a composed and mature performance to claim the Open title with eight points, finishing clear of a competitive field that included experienced national and club champions.
Simiyu, just 13 years old, delivered a composed and mature performance to claim the Open title with eight points, finishing clear of a competitive field that included experienced national and club champions.
Throughout the tournament, the young prodigy displayed remarkable consistency, navigating complex middlegames and grinding endgames with confidence well beyond his years.
His triumph etched his name into the record books as the youngest Kenya National Chess Champion in history.
His triumph etched his name into the record books as the youngest Kenya National Chess Champion in history.
The victory capped a breakthrough year for Simiyu, who earlier in 2025 became the youngest Kenyan ever to earn the FIDE Master title, underlining his rapid rise on both the local and international chess scene.
Behind him, fellow teenager FIDE Master Kuka Kyle finished second on 7.5 points, further reinforcing the growing influence of youth at the top level of the sport.
Behind him, fellow teenager FIDE Master Kuka Kyle finished second on 7.5 points, further reinforcing the growing influence of youth at the top level of the sport.
Candidate Master Robert Mcligeyo of KCB Chess Club secured third place with seven points after a steady campaign that kept him in contention deep into the tournament.
In the Ladies’ section, Jully Mutisya emerged champion after a tense and closely fought contest. She finished level on eight points with Woman FIDE Master Sasha Mongeli but claimed the title on tie-breaks after holding her nerve in the decisive final rounds.
Mutisya’s path to the title was marked by resilience. After suffering an early setback in the tournament, she regrouped and delivered a string of strong performances, showing composure in high-pressure endgames as the championship reached its climax.
Nicole Albright of Mavens Chess Club completed the podium in third place with seven points, rounding off a women’s competition that remained undecided until the final day.
Beyond the titles, the championship stood out for its prize structure, which signalled a new era for competitive chess in Kenya.
In the Ladies’ section, Jully Mutisya emerged champion after a tense and closely fought contest. She finished level on eight points with Woman FIDE Master Sasha Mongeli but claimed the title on tie-breaks after holding her nerve in the decisive final rounds.
Mutisya’s path to the title was marked by resilience. After suffering an early setback in the tournament, she regrouped and delivered a string of strong performances, showing composure in high-pressure endgames as the championship reached its climax.
Nicole Albright of Mavens Chess Club completed the podium in third place with seven points, rounding off a women’s competition that remained undecided until the final day.
Beyond the titles, the championship stood out for its prize structure, which signalled a new era for competitive chess in Kenya.
Chess Kenya awarded brand-new cars to both the Open and Ladies’ champions, a move widely praised for recognising excellence and elevating the profile of the sport.
All participants also received guaranteed cash prizes, ensuring that every qualifier was rewarded for reaching the national stage.
The tournament also doubled as Kenya’s official selection event for international duty. The top five finishers in both the Open and Ladies’ categories earned slots to represent the country at the 46th World Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Equity Chess Club emerged as the dominant force at the championship, with both Simiyu and Mutisya representing the club.
The tournament also doubled as Kenya’s official selection event for international duty. The top five finishers in both the Open and Ladies’ categories earned slots to represent the country at the 46th World Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Equity Chess Club emerged as the dominant force at the championship, with both Simiyu and Mutisya representing the club.
Several of its players also featured prominently in the final standings, reflecting years of structured training, investment, and talent development.
The club recently made history by becoming the first African corporate team to compete at the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship in India.
Chess Kenya officials lauded the overall quality of play and the smooth organisation of the event, noting that the results confirmed a clear shift toward youth leadership within the sport.
Chess Kenya officials lauded the overall quality of play and the smooth organisation of the event, noting that the results confirmed a clear shift toward youth leadership within the sport.
With preparations now turning to international competition, the 2025 championship is being viewed as a defining milestone for Kenyan chess.
0 Comments