Home Chess News 2025 Jumuiya Ya Afrika Mashariki Open Chess Tournament

2025 Jumuiya Ya Afrika Mashariki Open Chess Tournament

June 22, 2025

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2025 Jumuiya Ya Afrika Mashariki Open Chess Tournament

The 2025 Jumuiya Ya Afrika Mashariki Open Chess Tournament organised by The Gift of Chess concluded last weekend with James Panchol, the renowned coach from PMadol Chess Club, emerging as the clear winner with 4.5 points out of five rounds, earning KES 40,000 as his cash prize. It is interesting to note that this was the fourth classical chess event in 2025 that James Panchol won in Kenya, cementing his status as one of the top players. His earlier victories included the 15th Capablanca Cup, the 7th Le Pelley Cup, and the 2025 EA Chess Championship.

Three players, Garang Panthou Joh Madol, CM Robert McLeigeyo, and Viacheslav Chvoro (also known as Slav) of Nairobi Chess Club, scored 4 points to share KES 55,000 equally.

The Elite Section featured 24 players competing over 5 rounds with a 90-minute time control.

The 3rd edition of this event at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika had just over 430 participants competing for an impressive KES 288,000 (approximately USD 1,800) prize fund. The event consisted of four separate sections: Elite, U1800, U600, and a Junior Section.

James Panchol (left) receiving his trophy. 2025 Jumuiya Ya Afrika Mashariki Open Chess Tournament — James Panchol (left) receiving his trophy. Photo credit Alan Rongoey.

U1800 Section

Christopher Nduati was the winner of the U1800 Section with 5.5 points out of six rounds to win a cash prize of KES 20,000 and a trophy.

The U1800 Section had 39 participants competing over six rounds with a time control of 60 minutes.

U1600 Section

Levi Joshua was the winner of the U1600 Section with six points out of six rounds. Prudence Mwangi grabbed the silver medal with six points as well but with an inferior tie-break. Both equally share KES 35,000 as the joint first prize.

The U1600 Section had 160 participants competing over 6 rounds with a time control of 60 minutes.

Junior Section

The Junior Section comprised two groups: the U12, with 101 participants, and the U18, with 112 players. Both groups had a time control of 25 minutes over six rounds.