2024 Chess Kenya AGM
Chess Kenya held its Annual General Meeting on 3rd August 2024 at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka. The new constitution, which aligns with the Sports Act 2013, invited delegates from all 32 clubs in the Kenya National League, as well as officials from the County Chess Sports Association.
President Report
Chess Kenya’s new website, chesskenya.co.ke, is complete and in the final stage of uploading data is in progress.
Chess Kenya will support major FIDE-rated events with a past track record with financial support of KES 50,000. These include;
Nairobi Open – NACHA
Mombasa Open – Mombasa Chess Club
Kisumu Open – Kisumu Chess Club
Muranga Open – Muranga County Association
Bungoma Open – Bungoma County Association
Kiambu Open – Kiambu County Association
The meeting approved the financial report for 2023 and the reappointment of Jeremy Mkay Associates as the auditor for the year 2024.
The President reported that 29 County Associations were active and encouraged to finalise compliance with the Registrar of Sports.
Team Kenya Selection
The new qualification and team selection was approved.
Youth Selection
The three-phase system was approved. The first stage is the Regional Qualifiers, and the second is the National Qualifiers. The third and final phase is the Round Robin play-offs of the top 11 players.
Senior Selection
The meeting approved the Hybrid Grand Prix System, which will have the following selection criteria.
The top nine players from the Grand Prix Circuit will be ranked based on their top four results. The Grand Prix Circuit will comprise classical events with at least six rounds, each with a minimum time control of 90 minutes, and will take place in Kenya.
The top-rated player in the FIDE rating who has participated in at least four FIDE-rated events will join the Kenya National Championship.
The top junior from the Kenya National Junior Championship will join as the 11th player.
The Kenya National Championship will comprise the above 11 players in a round-robin tournament. The winner will be declared the Kenya National Champion, while the top five will form the Kenya National Team.
All Grand Prix events will be approved and published by Chess Kenya.
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Links
The Chess Kenya Federation – a new start.
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Article by Kenya Chess Masala.