Day One Update – Kenya National Chess Championship 2025
Report by Wambugu Wandina.
The much-anticipated Kenya National Chess Championship 2025 officially hit the ground running today, 26th December 2025, with 22 elite players ready to battle over the next five days at the prestigious Westwood Hotel, in Nairobi.
Round One Highlights – Open Section
Round One delivered drama right from the opening moves.
Despite enjoying a decisive advantage in a completely winning endgame, Gohil Mehul (2006) was fortunate to escape with a draw against Kuka Kyle (1943) after time pressure crept in, once again proving that time is also a piece.
Dr. Irungu Brian (1959) produced a beautifully articulated attacking display, sacrificing his rook multiple times to dismantle Martin Njoroge (1944) in a game that was never in doubt.
In another tense encounter, CM Robert McLigeyo (2113) lost on the clock in a theoretically drawn endgame, allowing AIM Kenneth Omolo (1972) to steal the full point.
A fierce team battle saw FM Jadon Simiyu (2056) overpower Shile Mataiga (1876), while experience met youth as CM Ben Magana (2036) agreed to a hard-fought draw against his student Hawi Kaloki (2069).
Round One Highlights – Ladies Section
The Ladies Section was equally intense. Kimani Wanjiru (1708) and Karanja Ether (1638) put friendship aside for a fiercely contested duel.
WFM Sasha Mongeli (1862) emerged victorious against WFM Joyce Nyaruai (1889), while WCM Jully Mutisya (1864) converted her advantage against Madelta Glenda (1726).
A missed continuation proved costly for Zuri Kaloki (1848), allowing Nicole Albright (1744) to capitalize and claim the win. Meanwhile, WCM Elizabeth Cassidy (1782) and Gloria Jumba (1788) eventually agreed to share the point after a tense middlegame struggle.
Round Two Highlights – Open Section
Round Two raised the tempo even further. FM Jadon Simiyu (2056) continued his strong start by defeating Irungu Brian (1959), while Kuka Kyle (1943) bounced back convincingly with a dominant win over Hawi Kaloki (2069).
Despite a free morning, Boera Felix (1982) endured a rough start, falling to CM Ben Magana (2036). Gohil Mehul (2006) once again survived under pressure, sharing the point with Lenny Mataiga (1870), as Martin Njoroge (1944)’s tough run continued with a loss to CM Robert McLigeyo (2113).
Round Two Highlights – Ladies Section
In the Ladies category, Madelta Glenda (1726) claimed her first point by capitalizing against Gloria Jumba (1789). It was a challenging day for WFM Joyce Nyaruai (1889), who suffered a second consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of teammate WCM Elizabeth Cassidy (1782).
Zuri Kaloki (1848) recovered well, outplaying Kimani Wanjiru (1708), while WCM Bella Nashipae (1872) made full use of her free morning to defeat WCM Jully Mutisya (1864).
WFM Sasha Mongeli (1862) continued her dominant form, registering another convincing win against Ether Karanja (1633).
Standings after round 2
Top 5 Players as Per Round 2 Ranking
1. FM Simiyu Jadon 2/2
2. Kuka Kyle 1.5/2
3. CM Magana Ben 1.5/2
4. Omolo Kenneth 1/5
5. Dr. Irungu Brian 1/5
Top 5 Ranking Ladies Section
1. WFM Mongeli Sasha 2/2
2. WCM Elizabeth Cassidy 1.5/2
3. WCM Bella Nashipae 1/2
4. WCM Jully Mutisya 1/2
5. Nicole Albright 1/2
Game Corner
Poster
Wambugu Wandina
Wambugu Wandina is a renown Kenyan FIDE Arbiter and active chess player with a strong passion for modern chess transmission technologies, particularly through DGT boards and Id Chess broadcasting solutions. He also enjoy writing and telling compelling chess stories, using every platform available to help grow and promote the game.
Article by Kenya Chess Masala.
