Teenage players Jadon Simiyu and Jully Mutisya emerged as the new national champions after a demanding Kenya National Chess Championship held in Nairobi, underlining a growing youth takeover at the top of Kenyan chess.

The six-day championship ran from December 26 to 31, 2025, at the Westwood Hotel in Westlands and brought together the country’s strongest players in an invite-only event organised by Chess Kenya. Players competed over 11 rounds under classical time controls, with two games played on most days, placing heavy demands on concentration, stamina and mental discipline.

Jadon Simiyu, aged just 13, claimed the Open title with an impressive eight points, finishing clear of a strong field that included experienced national and club champions. Calm and consistent throughout the tournament, Simiyu handled complex positions with confidence and avoided costly mistakes across the long format.

The victory made him the youngest Kenya National Chess Champion in history and added to an already remarkable year. Earlier in 2025, he became the country’s youngest-ever FIDE Master, confirming his rapid rise and growing reputation beyond Kenya’s borders.

Behind him, fellow teenager FM Kuka Kyle finished second on 7.5 points, while CM Robert Mcligeyo of KCB Chess Club placed third on seven points. Their results reinforced the competitive standard of the championship and highlighted the depth of young talent coming through the national ranks.

In the Ladies’ section, Jully Mutisya delivered a composed performance to secure the national title after finishing level on eight points with WFM Sasha Mongeli and winning on tie-breaks. Mutisya recovered strongly after an early loss in the tournament and stayed focused during decisive endgames as the pressure mounted in the closing rounds.

Nicole Albright of Mavens Chess Club completed the podium in third place on seven points, rounding off a closely contested women’s event that remained undecided until the final round.

Cars, cash, global spots

A standout feature of the championship was the prize structure. In a move aimed at promoting fairness and motivation, Chess Kenya awarded brand-new cars to both the Open and Ladies’ champions. All participants also received guaranteed cash prizes, ensuring that every qualifier benefited from reaching the national stage.

Beyond domestic honours, the championship also served as Kenya’s official selection event for international competitions. The top five players in both sections qualified for the 46th World Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Equity Chess Club dominated the event, with both champions representing the club and several of its players finishing on the podium. The club’s success reflected years of structured training and investment, and followed its recent appearance at the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship in India, where it became the first African corporate team to compete.

Chess Kenya officials praised the quality of play and organisation of the tournament, noting the clear shift towards youth leadership at the elite level. With preparations now turning to international duty, the 2025 championship marked a defining moment for Kenyan chess, setting the stage for a new generation to represent the country on the global scene.