James Panchol clinches 7th Le Pelley Cup
Photo credits – Kim Bhari
James Panchol extended his 2025 winning streak by clinching the 7th Le Pelley Cup with 3.5 points out of four rounds. His victory comes hot on the heels of his earlier victory in January 2025 when he won the 15th Capablanca Cup with three points out of four rounds. The Nairobi Chess organised the event in honour of Mr Peter Le Pelley, a keen chess player and one-time club Chairman.
With this victory, James Panchol has won nine Nairobi Chess Club events over the past seven years. James Panchol is now the three-winner of the Le Pelley Cup (2nd edition in 2017 and the 3rd edition in 2018). His cash prize was KES 20,000.
On the other hand, Peter Gilruth, the current interim Chairman of the Nairobi Chess Club, scored 3.5 points to end up in second place as he had an inferior tie-break but shared the cash prize and went home with KES 20,000.
The Elite Section saw a total of 16 participants battling it out, with Equity Bank Chess Club winning the prize for the best corporate.
The event saw a total of 105 players taking part in four different rating sections on 22nd & 23rd February 2025 at the Nairobi Gymkhana Club along Desai Road, in Nairobi.
See the story on Inaugural Peter Le Pelley Cup. More on the life of Mr Le Pelley can be found here –Peter Le Pelley Obituary Revised.
U1800 Section
Kelly Mwaniki was triumphant in the U1800 Section with 3.5 points out of four rounds. He won a cash prize of KES 15,000.
Christopher Nudati and Zadock Nyakundi tied for second place with three points each to equally share the cash prize of KES 7,500.
This section had a total of seventeen participants.
U1600 Section
Jams Todd won this section with 3.5 points out of four rounds. Eugene Zablon also scored 3.5 points but had an inferior tie-break to take the silver medal. Both players shared equally the KES 12,500.
This section had 16 players battling for top honours.
U1500 Section
Fredrick Mwendwa won this section with 5.5 points out of six rounds to take home KES 5,000 and obtain an impressive FIDE rating of 1822!
Shem Mali Apamo took the sliver with five points, while Cynthia Wayua Kyalo grabbed the bronze medal.
This section had 56 players, of which 14 had FIDE ratings.
Game Corner
Photo Gallery
Links
7th Le Pelley Cup on chess-results.com.
The 6th Le Pelley Cup – Brian Gabriel Mwangi grabs title
Dr Victor Ng’ani clinches the 5th Le Pelley Cup.
Standings & Results of the 5th Le Pelley Cup on chess-results.com.
Photos from the 5th Le Pelley Tournament Volume 1.
Photos from the 5th Le Pelley Tournament Volume 2.
Ricky Sang wins 4th Le Pelley Cup.
Standings & Results of the 4th Le Pelley Cup.
James Panchol wins 3rd Le Pelley Cup.
James Panchol wins 2nd Le Pelley Cup.
Players get ready for inaugural Le Pelley Cup.
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Article by Kenya Chess Masala.
