GM Vojtech Plat wins 2026 Mavens Open

GM Vojtech Plat of Slovakia was the clear winner of the 2026 Mavens Open International Chess Championship held at the iconic Kenyatta International Conference Centre in downtown Nairobi. He won the event with an impressive score of 7.5 points out of eight rounds to go home with USD 5,000 and a glittering trophy.

GM Attila Czebe of Hungary was second with 7 points and won a cash prize of KES 150,000 (USD 1,200).

Three players tied for third place with 6.5 points. These included Mark Nyola of Uganda, followed by his compatriot, FM Haruna Nsubuga, and 2025 Kenya National Chess Champion Jadon Simiyu. All three shared the KES 50,000 cash prize.

GM Vojtech Plat of Slovakia receiving his prize.

WFM Sasha Mongeli, on the other hand, won the Ladies Section with 7 points, beating a field of 32 contestants. She won KES 150,000 in cash.

WCM Bella Nashipae, Olivia Asiimwe and WCM Juliet Asaba were joint second with six points.

The championship features four sections: the main Open Section with 157 players, the Ladies Section with 32 participants, and two junior sections (Boys and Girls) with 112 and 74 players, respectively.

Mavens Chess Centre is the event organiser, with MyBoda serving as the main sponsor. The event ran from 19th to 22nd March 2026.