2026 Commonwealth Chess Championship
The 2026 Commonwealth Chess Championship ended in Kalutara, Sri Lanka, with Ezekiel Karani making Kenya proud by scoring 6 points from 9 rounds to finish in joint fourth place, or 11th in the rankings.
The event, with 7 GMs and 3 IMs, saw 96 players from 13 federations take part. The top-ranked player was GM Pa Iniyan of India with an astronomical rating of 2587.Kenya was well represented with 11 players, which included the top male and female players from the final phase of the recently concluded Kenya Universities and Colleges Chess Championship 2026.
The prestigious championship, which brings together top chess players from Commonwealth countries, ran from 16th to 26th May 2026 in Kalutara, Sri Lanka, at the Royal Palm Beach Hotel.
GM Guha Mitrabha of India was the winner of the event with 7.5 points out of nine rounds.
Kenya first participated in the Commonwealth Chess Championship when PN Odhiambo represented the country in the 1996 edition.
Game Corner
Team Kenya Delegation
1. James Wokabi Mbuthia
2. Neriah Achieng Onyango
3. Breetalliza Amandah Odiwuor
4. Yator Mugo Waikwa
5. Eliana Ella Mokeira Maranga
6. Jesse Fabian Asin
7. Jamie Obora Kanango
8. Angel Gathigia
9. Mugambi Christian Mwamba
10. Mercy Ingado
11. Ezekiel Orenge Karani
12. Robert Waikwa Mugo – Accompanying Person
13. Dennis Wambugu Wandina – Invited Arbiter
14. Saphinah Moraa Kenyando – Head of Delegation
Links
2026 Commonwealth Chess Championship on chess-results.com.
Live games from the 2026 Commonwealth Chess Championship.
Commonwealth Chess Championship – 2017.
1996 Commonwealth Chess Championship.
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Article by Kenya Chess Masala.