Chess Kenya

Moi Nyeri Complex Stuns Africa, Finishes Continental Runners-Up and Qualifies for the 2026 World Schools Team Chess Championship

Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School has written a remarkable chapter in Kenyan chess history after finishing as the first runners-up at the Africa Schools Team Chess Championship held in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Representing Kenya after earning qualification through victory at the Kenya National Youth Chess Championship, the Nyeri-based school delivered an outstanding unbeaten campaign, recording five wins and three draws to finish with 13 match points. Uganda’s Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School claimed the continental title with 14 points, while South Africa’s Welgemoed Primary School completed the podium in third place.

Final Standings

1. Sr. Miriam Duggan Primary School (Uganda) – 14 points
2. Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School (Kenya) – 13 points
3. Welgemoed Primary School (South Africa)

The impressive continental performance has earned Moi Nyeri Complex qualification for the 2026 World Schools Team Chess Championship, where they will represent Africa alongside the world’s best school teams. The championship will be held later this year alongside the prestigious FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships, giving the young Kenyan players an opportunity to compete on the global stage.

The historic achievement was made possible through the dedication of an exceptional team comprising Patricia Wairimu Waweru, Trevor Kipngetich Waweru, Irwin Ndege Ndegwa, Davidson Mugo Waweru, and Nathaniel Waithaka Itiru, under the guidance of teacher Anne Mwangi.

A key figure behind the school’s remarkable rise has been Rev. Fr. Benard Watoro, whose vision for youth development through chess has transformed opportunities for young players in Nyeri. Through the Quo Vadis Youth Hub under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, Fr. Watoro has partnered with Chess Kenya to promote chess as a tool for education, discipline, leadership, and character formation.

His support has extended beyond organizing the successful Quo Vadis Nyeri Open tournament. By mobilizing university students and community volunteers to provide regular chess coaching at Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School, Fr. Watoro helped establish a sustainable training program that has nurtured one of Kenya’s strongest school chess teams. His mentorship, commitment, and belief in the potential of young people have been instrumental in the school’s journey from a promising local team to continental runners-up and now world championship qualifiers.

Chess Kenya’s decision to include Fr. Watoro in the Kenyan delegation recognized these invaluable contributions to youth chess development. His presence alongside the team symbolized the importance of community partnerships in building sporting excellence.

Moi Nyeri Complex’s success is not only a proud moment for the school and Nyeri County but also a significant milestone for Kenyan chess. Their qualification for the World Schools Team Chess Championship demonstrates that with vision, consistent investment, and community support, Kenyan schools can compete with,and challenge,the very best in Africa and the world.

As the team prepares to take on the world’s elite later this year, they carry with them the hopes of Kenya and the pride of an entire continent.

Regards
Andrew Owili
Chess Kenya President

DEPARTURE OF THE KENYAN DELEGATION TO THE AFRICA SCHOOLS TEAM CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Today, the Kenyan delegation officially departed for the Africa Schools Team Chess Championship in the Western Cape, South Africa, where they will proudly represent Kenya following their outstanding performances at the Kenya National Youth Chess Championship.

The delegation is led by Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School, which earned the honour of representing Kenya after emerging as the overall best primary school in the 2025 Kenya National Youth Chess Championship, as confirmed by the Chief Arbiter’s report. The team’s participation reflects the school’s remarkable commitment to excellence in chess and its growing reputation as one of the country’s leading youth chess development centres.

Representing the school are:

Patricia Wairimu Waweru
Trevor Kipngetich Waweru
Irwin Ndege Ndegwa
Davidson Mugo Waweru
Nathaniel Waithaka Itiru

The team is accompanied by the school’s designated teacher and Rev. Fr. Benard Watoro, Director of Quo Vadis Youth Hub under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri and Anne Mwangi, Teacher at Moi Complex Primary.

Rev. Fr. Benard Watoro joins the delegation in recognition of his exceptional contribution to youth empowerment through chess. Under his leadership, Quo Vadis Youth Hub has partnered with Chess Kenya to promote chess as a tool for mentorship, character formation, and academic excellence. The partnership has successfully organized the Quo Vadis Nyeri Open, attracting participants from Kenya and neighbouring countries, while also supporting chess training at Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School through university students and community volunteers. This initiative has played a significant role in transforming the school into one of Kenya’s most promising chess development centres.

Chess Kenya Federation acknowledged these contributions by extending an official invitation to Rev. Fr. Watoro to accompany the national school team during the championship.

As the delegation embarks on this important continental assignment, we wish our players, officials, and accompanying delegation members a safe journey, successful competition, and memorable experience. May they proudly fly the Kenyan flag and inspire many more young people through their dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship.

We wish Team Kenya every success at the Africa Schools Team Chess Championship in the Western Cape, South Africa. Go Team Kenya!

Regards
Chess Kenya

Election Day

Dear Colleagues,

Today marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in my life as I officially conclude my service as the President of Chess Kenya following the just-concluded Chess Kenya elections.

Serving as your President has been the greatest honor and privilege of my leadership journey. The trust and confidence that the members of Chess Kenya placed in me is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. For that, I remain deeply humbled and eternally grateful.

Looking back, I am filled with immense pride,not because of personal achievements alone, but because of what we accomplished together as one chess family. Every milestone we celebrated, every challenge we overcame, and every dream we pursued was possible because of your unwavering support, dedication, and belief in our shared vision. Thank you for walking this journey with me.

As I hand over the mantle of leadership, I do so with complete confidence and a joyful heart. I warmly congratulate my brother, Andrew Owili, on his election as the incoming President of Chess Kenya.

Andrew’s victory is deeply personal to me. Our journey together spans many years, beginning during our university days. We have grown together as friends, colleagues, and leaders. We both had the privilege of serving as Captains of the Kenyatta University Chess Club, with Andrew following in my footsteps two years later. We also both served as elected student leaders in charge of Sports and Entertainment, with him assuming the role three years after I had left office. These remarkable parallels have always reminded me that leadership is a relay race, where one generation prepares the next.

When I invited Andrew to serve on my team as Vice President, I did so because I believed in his character, his passion, and his immense leadership potential. Over the years, I watched him grow into a leader capable of taking Chess Kenya to even greater heights. That is why I proudly endorsed him as my successor, and I am neither surprised nor disappointed by the outcome of this election. I know the federation is in safe hands.

I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the delegates for believing in the team I endorsed. Your confidence in them reflects a shared commitment to continuity, progress, and the future of Kenyan chess. I have every faith that they possess the passion, vision, and ability to build upon the foundation we have laid together. Although my tenure has come to an end as President, my commitment to Chess Kenya remains as strong as ever. I will continue to support the new leadership in every way possible to ensure that the gains we have made are protected and expanded.

To all those who emerged victorious, congratulations. To those who were not successful this time, thank you for offering yourselves to serve. Elections may produce winners and non-winners, but they should never produce enemies. The contest is now behind us. What lies ahead is far more important than what lies behind.

This is the time to heal, to unite, and to move forward as one Chess Kenya family. Together, we must continue pursuing our common dream of making Kenya a true powerhouse in the world of chess.

As I take this step away from Office of the President, I do so with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you for your friendship, your encouragement, your constructive criticism, your trust, and your unwavering support throughout my tenure. You made this journey meaningful, and you made me a better leader.

Though I leave the office of President, I will never leave the Chess Kenya family. Once a servant of chess, always a servant of chess. Am grateful the members still believe am valuable to Chess Kenya.

May God bless each one of you, and may God continue to bless Chess Kenya.

With profound gratitude,

Benard Wanjala
Outgoing President, Chess Kenya

Africa Zone 4.4 Chess Championship 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Ethiopia Chess Federation will host Africa Zone 4.4 Chess Championship 2026 from 19th to 27th July in Addis Ababa. The championship will feature players from 14 countries members belonging to Africa zone 4.4.

Each Country has two invited slots which already filled for Kenya, those interested in Additional slots are invited. ACC fee is waived, you will only be required to pay registration fee of usd 60 and accomodation of usd 65 per day, usd 55 for double full board. Flights from Mombasa is retailing from usd 450, Nairobi is a little expensive.

The winner will not only win cash prizes but will earn personal rights to next African individual championship 2027. See invitation attached.

There will be also arbiters seminars in English and Arabic. Those interested can register.

For more information, you can write to Chess Kenya [email protected] copied to [email protected].

Regards,

Chess Kenya

Sasha Mongeli Makes History as First Kenyan Woman to Win a Medal at the African Individual Chess Championship and Earns WIM Title

WFM Sasha Mongeli has made Kenyan chess history by winning the bronze medal at the 2026 African Individual Chess Championship, becoming the first Kenyan ever to win a medal at the prestigious continental individual championship that has just ended in Botswana.

Entering the tournament as the 17th seed based on her FIDE rating, Sasha exceeded expectations with a remarkable performance, finishing behind only the two Egyptian Women’s Grandmasters. Her outstanding result also earned her the coveted Woman International Master (WIM) title, making her the first Kenyan woman to achieve this milestone.

This achievement marks Kenya’s best-ever performance at the African Individual Chess Championship in more than 50 years of participation and represents a landmark moment in the country’s chess history.

Widely regarded as one of Kenya’s most consistent and accomplished female chess players, Sasha has been a permanent member of the national team since 2018. Throughout her career, she has amassed an impressive list of achievements, cementing her place among Kenya’s greatest chess players.

Sasha Mongeli’s Chess Journey

1. Represented the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) in the Kenya Power Chess League.

2. 2018: Won gold with the TUK team at the East African University Games in Dodoma, Tanzania.

3. September 2018: Made her debut for the Kenya women’s national team at the 43rd FIDE Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, where she earned the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title, becoming only the third Kenyan woman to receive the title.

4. October 2018: Named Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Sports Personality of the Month following her outstanding Olympiad performance.

5. In 2018: Received the SATUK Sports Personality of the Year award from the Technical University of Kenya.
6. In 2019: Represented Kenya at the 12th African Games in Casablanca, Morocco.
7. In 2020: Competed for Kenya in the inaugural FIDE Online Chess Olympiad.

8. January 2021: Represented Kenya at the African Individual Chess Championship (Women’s Section), played online from Nairobi.
9. In 2021: Represented Kenya at the African Individual Chess Championship in Lilongwe, Malawi.
10. In 2021: Represented Kenya at the World Amateur Chess Championship in Rhodes, Greece (Under-2000 category).

11. In 2021: Crowned Kenya Women’s Chess Champion.

12. Successfully defended her national title in 2023 and 2024.

13. In 2026: Won bronze at the African Individual Chess Championship and earned the Woman International Master (WIM) title,the first Kenyan woman to do so.

Sasha Mongeli’s historic achievement is a testament to years of dedication, perseverance, and excellence. Her success not only elevates Kenyan chess on the continental stage but also inspires a new generation of players across the country and beyond.

Chess Kenya extends its heartfelt congratulations to Sasha Mongeli on this remarkable accomplishment and wishes her continued success as she pursues even greater achievements on the international stage.

Congratulations, WIM Sasha Mongeli,Kenya is proud of you! 🇰🇪

Regards
Chess Kenya

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉

David Karugo, Sarah Gerrard, Hînga Mwonjoria, Mbuvi Robberts, Roselyne Kebaso, Phineas Mung'athia, Douglas Osoro, Dickson Gitari, Dennis Gitari, Boyo Paul Kehinde

The team arrived safely in Rome, Italy