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Joy Faith in action during the Plainsview Chess Tournament in Kisumu.[Washington Onyango,Standard]
All roads lead to Kisii this weekend as Chess Kenya set to host the Kenya National Youth Chess Championship at Kereri Girls and Kisii School respectively.
The tournament has attracted 3128 participants comprising 1988 boys and 1140 Girls.
This will be the highest ever numbers registered by chess highly driven by Chess in schools' program that has taken root to every part of the country.
Robert Macligeyo is the highest ranked junior in the country will be out to assert himself as favorite in under 18 categories.
He won his category last year, won National Junior championship in Mombasa. He represented Kenya in World Olympiad in India and Africa Junior Championship in Algeria.
He is expected to face serious opposition from second highest rated Rocky Muchiri, St Patrick Itens Gedion Gekonge among other emerging players.
Elizabeth Cassidy another elite player in under 12 category will face yet another test as she faces her rival Fantalis Nduta, Staicy Chebet and other upcoming players.
She is the highest rated female player than any other including higher ages in under 18. She plays in seniors and narrowly missed to be in seniors National team to Africa Games by finishing 6th .
Her category is among the hottest than any other category. In another titanic battle, Reigning National Champion Annabel Mideva will have to overcome Africa youth Champion Winnie Kaburo in under 10 Category.
Samara Zawadi from Msingi School, Kisumu in action during the National Youth Chess Championships in Eldoret.[Washington Onyango,Standard]
Chess Kenya decentralized hosting of National Championship that was originally a Nairobi affair to other regions as a way of reaching out to grassroots talents.
The move also aimed to promote regional integration and appreciation of our national diversity through sports.
This has seen several regions host, such as Friends School, Kaimosi girls (Western Region, 2018); Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls jointly with Ruthagathi Boys (Central region, 2019); Khadija High school (Coast Region, 2021) and Moi Girls High school (Uasin Gishu, 2022).
Kisii region is the latest host and its expected to bring together over 5000 people comprising participants, hundreds of chess referees(Arbiters), Chess Coaches, Parents and teachers accompanying the participants to Kisii town.
Spot check on various amenities such as hotels and popular airbnbs show majority are fully booked for the duration of the tournament. Among invited guest to grace the event includes CS Ababu Namwamba,Kisii County Governor His Exellence Simba Arati and Kisii Educational Director.
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