Kitale Open 2026 – Alan Chumba crowned winner
The 2026 Kitale Open ended with 2025 Kenya National Blitz Champion Allan Chumba winning it with 5.5 points out of six rounds. He went home with KES 30,000 in prize money and gained an impressive 2093 TPR, boosting his chances of qualifying for the 2026 Kenya National Championship.
Mehul Gohil, the former three-time Kenya National Champion, grabbed the silver medal with five points.
Shukri Shakira, WFM Elizabeth Cassidy and Vanessa Nekesa Sifuna shared the ladies’ cash prize of KES 20,000 equally. A total of seventy players took part in the event at the Kitale National Polytechnic, with a total cash prize of KES 120,000.
The format was six rounds with a time control of 90 minutes per player over the weekend of 18th & 19th July 2026.
This event formed part of the 2026 Kenya Grand Prix Circuit, serving as a qualifier for the Kenya National Championship scheduled for December 2026. Various organisers have hosted ten Grand Prix events since the beginning of the year, with another six in the pipeline.
Game Corner
Allan Chumba v Lenny Mataiga
Atem Ngong v Allan Chumba
Photo Gallery
Event poster
Past winner of the Kitale Open
2025 – Mark Nyola (Uganda)
2024 – Steve Okeyo (Kenya)
2023 – James Panchol (South Sudan)
Links
Kitale Open 2026 on chess-results.com.
2025 Kitale Open – Mark Nyola triumphs.
2025 Kitale Open on chess-results.com.
Article done by the Trans Nzoia County on the event.
2025 Kenya Grand Prix Tracker.
Steve Okeyo wins 2024 Kitale Open.
James Panchol wins 2023 Kitale Open.
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Article by Kenya Chess Masala.