Nakuru Kenya Chess Academy Parents and Players Celebrate Our Champions

Story by Nakuru reporter/ writer Coach Dickson Gitari & BLXCR staff

From April 4th to 9th, Nakuru Chess Academy parents and chess players came together to celebrate our achievements during the Kenya Individual School Chess Championship, held at Mang’u High School.

Our chess region, Nakuru — where I proudly serve as the Chess Coordinator — was represented by over 800 students between the ages of 7 and 17. Among them were my own students from Nakuru Chess Academy, CT who performed exceptionally well:

Under 17 Open

1. Jerry Simiyu — 7.5/9 points

2. John Njuguna — 6/9 points

Under 17 Girls

3. Wambui Gakenia — 7/9 points

Under 15 Girls

4. Cate Nyambura — 5.5/9 points

5. Sylvia Wanjiru — 6/9 points

Under 15 Open

6. Wayne Joe Njarumi — 8.5/9 points (Winner)

Under 13 Girls

7. Annabel Mideva — 8/9 points (2nd position, former U9 Champion 2022–2023)

8. Eliana Ella — 7/9 points

Under 13 Open

9. Jadon Simiyu — 9/9 points (Africa Champion, U11)

10. Mark Peter Karanja — 7/9 points

11. Stafford Maina — 7/9 points

Under 11 Girls

12. Leona Wanjiru — 5/9 points

Under 11 Open

13. Maurice Mumalla Muchela — 6/9 points

14. Jayson Kimani Ndarwa — 7/9 points

15. Alton Takwa — 7/9 points

Under 7 Open

16. Galaiya Hitansh — 8/9 points (2nd position)

As you can see, we had every reason to celebrate our champions!

Our students displayed incredible talent, discipline, and passion for chess. What we need now is more opportunities to play at even higher levels of competition so they can continue to sharpen their skills.

For those new to chess tournaments:

Players earn points based on their performance — 1 point for a win, 0.5 points for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. The more points a player scores over several rounds, the higher they place in the rankings.

For example, when you see 9/9 points, it means that player won every single match — a perfect score!

One of our brightest stars, Wayne Joe — the U15 Open Champion — is a highly talented chess player. He can play simultaneous chess on up to 20 boards and even compete in blindfold chess, a rare skill that shows just how strong his memory and visualization abilities are.

As the Nakuru Region Chess Coordinator, my vision is clear:

To introduce the game of chess to over 500 schools by the year 2028.

So far, I have successfully introduced chess to more than 20 schools. However, one of the biggest challenges we face is the shortage of chessboards and trained instructors to meet the growing interest.

We are seeking partnerships with well-wishers, volunteers, and organizations who are willing to support us as chess coaches, donors, or mentors. With your help, we can bring the beautiful game of chess into the lives of thousands of young students.

Lastly, I am proud to share that Nakuru Chess Academy has officially been registered to participate in the 2025 Kenya Chess Super League, with the goal of qualifying for the Premier League in the near future.

I warmly invite you to visit :

joiningthedotsteamkenya.com, a volunteer-driven initiative that, if successful, will significantly accelerate the growth and impact of our sports programs. Your support and involvement could make a real difference.

Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read about our journey. I look forward to connecting with you and exploring ways we can work together to shape the future of young chess players.

— Coach Dickson Gitari