16th Capablanca Cup – Peter Majur Manyang is victorious
Photo credits – Kim Bhari.
The 16th Capablanca Cup ended last weekend with Peter Majur Manyang of South Sudan emerging victorious with 3.5 points out of four rounds. He beat a strong field of 18 players and took home a glittering trophy and KES 20,000.
In a closely fought battle, Allan Chumba took the silver with 3.5 points and went home KES 20,000 richer.
U1800 Section
Switching focus to the U1800 Section, Haden Nyamiaka won this hotly contested category with 3.5 points out of four rounds to claim KES 15,000 and a trophy. Meanwhile, Peter Kyalo took the runners-up slot with three points, winning a trophy and KES 5,000 for his efforts.
This section saw ten players in action.
U1600 Section
This section with 8 players was perhaps the most interesting, as here the top two places were taken up by the ladies! Francisca Kagwiria won with 3.5 points, earning KES 7,500 and a trophy.
Nisha Bhavsar was second with three points, earning KES 5,000 and a trophy.
U1500 Section
Aaron Wangai Warui emerged victorious in this section, which featured 44 players, scoring six points from six rounds to claim KES 5,000 and a trophy.
Arthur Keya was second with five points, while Jeremy Aden Duke was third with 4.5 points.
The event itself was hosted at the Goan Gymkhana Club, Nairobi, over the weekend of the 21st & 22nd February 2026.
Game Corner
Sponsor of the event
Dr Mujahid Din was the sponsor of this event in honour of his late father, Mohamed Younis Din, a chess enthusiast in his days.
Photo Gallery
Past winners
15th winner – James Pacnhol – South Sudan (2025)
14th winner – Peter Gilruth – Kenya (2024)
13th edition – not held
12th winner Peter Gilruth – Kenya (2023)
11th winner CM Ben Nguku – Kenya (2022)
10th winner FM Patrick Kawuma – Uganda (2020)
9th winner Lwanga Karoli – Kenya (2019)
8th winner James Panchol – South Sudan (2018)
7th winner Joseph Methu – Kenya (2017)
6th winner CM Haruna Nsubuga – Uganda(2016)
5th winner Peter Gilruth – Kenya (2015)
4th winner Jackson Kamau – Kenya (2014)
3rd winner IM Elijah Emojong – Uganda (2013)
2nd winner Jaswinder Singh – India (1999)
1st winner was Humphrey Andolo – Kenya (1997)
Event details
Venue: Goan Gymkhana Club, Nairobi.
Dates: 21st & 22nd February 2026.
Time Control: Elite, U1800 & U1600 – 90 minutes plus 30 seconds.
Time Control: U1500 – 60 minutes flat.
Organiser: Nairobi Chess Club
Links
16th Capablanca Cup on chess-results.com.
James Panchol clinches 15th Capablanca Cup.
15th Capablanca Cup on chess-results.com.
14th Capablanca Cup – Peter Gilruth grabs title.
14th Capablanca Cup Chess Championship on chess-results.com.
Gilruth wins 12th Capablanca Cup.
Ben Nguku wins 11th Capablanca Cup.
12th Capablanca Cup on chess-results.com.
11th Capablanca Cup on chess-results.com.
PGNs from the 11th Capablanca Cup Open Section.
Karoli Lwanga wins 9th edition Capablanca Cup.
James Panchol wins 8th edition Capablanca Cup.
Joseph Methu wins 7th edition Capablanca Cup.
FM Nsubuga wins 6th edition Capablanca Cup.
Peter Gilruth wins 5th edition Capablanca Cup.
Jackson Kamau wins 4th edition Capablanca Cup.
IM Elijah Emojong wins 3rd edition Capablanca Cup.
Article by Kenya Chess Masala.