Home Chess News The East Africa Chess Championship – Nakuru Grand Prix 2025

The East Africa Chess Championship – Nakuru Grand Prix 2025

May 4, 2025

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The East Africa Chess Championship – Nakuru Grand Prix 2025

The East Africa Chess Championship: Nakuru Grand Prix 2025 ended yesterday with James Panchol winning the Open Section with 5.5 points out of the six rounds, winning KES 30,000 as the cash prize. Brian Mwangi Irungu and Garang Panthou John Madol of South Sudan were hot on his heels with five points each. They equally shared a cash prize of KES 30,000.

It is interesting to note that this is James Panchol’s third title that he has won in 2025. The first two were the 15th Capablanca Cup and the 7th Le Pelley Cup hosted by the Nairobi Chess Club in early 2025.

Joseph Methu, the 2023 Kenya National Champion, struggled in the event to end up with 3.5 points and 13th in the ranking.

Mehul Gohil, the 2022 Kenya National Champion, found the going tough and conceded two games to end up with four points and 8th in the ranking.

The other big name, Martin Njoroge, the 2021 Kenya National Champion, ran out of steam after his superb performance at the 2025 Kantinti Memorial last month in Kampala, Uganda, where he ended up in joint first place. He scored 3 points to end up 29th in the ranking.

The Open Section saw 48 players competing for the overall cash prizes on offer of KES 68,000 and an opportunity to seek valuable Grand Prix points for the finals of the Kenya National Championship, which is set for later this year.

James Panchol the winner of the event taking on Brian Mwangi Irungu in their round 5 encounter. Photo credit Organisers of the event.

Lady’s & Junior Section

It was a proud moment for the Lady’s Section winner, Ether Karanja, who grabbed her first trophy in her short career. She won this section with a perfect 6 points out of six rounds to go home with KES 15,000 after edging out a determined Faith Gachihi Nyambura in the sixth and final round.

Glenda Madelta was second with 5 points to win KES 10,000 as her cash prize.

With 20 participants, the Lady’s Section was the arena for some intense struggles. However, the event’s qualification for the Grand Prix Circuit remains uncertain due to not meeting the minimum threshold of 24 players, adding a layer of suspense to the outcome.

The Junior Section saw 75 players battling it out over various age group categories.