- Kericho hosted the Under-17 African Chess Qualifiers as part of World Chess Day celebrations.
- Top performers earned places at the National Championships, where Kenya’s team for the African U17 Chess Championship in Namibia will be selected.
- Organisers hailed the growing popularity of chess in schools and its role in developing critical thinking and academic excellence.
Kericho County joined the rest of the world in marking World Chess Day by hosting the Under-17 African Chess Qualifiers at Kericho High School.
The tournament brought together learners from Grade Two to secondary school across the county, who competed for places at the National Chess Championships and a chance to represent Kenya at the African Under-17 Chess Championship in Namibia.
Kericho High School emerged the overall winner in the boys’ secondary school category, while Londiani Girls High School claimed top honours in the girls’ category.
In the primary school division, Upper Hill Academy finished as overall champions, followed by Kericho Academy and Kericho Montessori in second and third place, respectively.
The competition also produced an outstanding individual performance from John Ndumbi of Kericho Academy, who recorded a perfect score of six points from six games to emerge as the overall best player.
Hanin Ismail of Kericho Montessori was recognised as the tournament’s best girl.
Pathway to Team Kenya
Kericho Chess Club President and tournament organiser Shem Meso said the county championship forms part of the national selection pathway for the continental competition.
“The county qualifiers form part of the selection process for the National Championships to be held from August 1 to 3, 2026, at Alliance Boys’ High School and Alliance Girls’ High School. Players who excel there will earn places in Team Kenya for the African U17 Chess Championship in Namibia,” said Meso.
He noted that the steadily growing number of participants reflects the increasing popularity of chess in schools and the deliberate efforts by teachers and parents to nurture the game among learners.
Building life skills through chess
Meso said chess plays a vital role in boosting learners’ confidence and self-esteem while improving concentration, sharpening the mind and instilling patience and discipline.
“Chess plays a vital role in boosting learners’ confidence and self-esteem, improving concentration, sharpening the mind and instilling patience and discipline, attributes that also contribute to improved academic performance,” he said.
According to Meso, the game also develops strategic thinking, decision-making, hand-eye coordination and pattern recognition, enabling learners to solve problems effectively both inside and outside the classroom.
Chief Arbiter Gladys Langat commended participants for demonstrating discipline, resilience and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
She said such competitions provide an important platform for identifying and nurturing talented players capable of representing Kenya at regional and international championships.
Participating schools included Kericho High School, Londiani Girls High School, Kericho Academy, Kericho Montessori, Kalya Academy, Upper Hill Academy, Santa Chiara, Londiani Christian Academy, Queen of Angels School, Cheborgai School and Kimarsian Senior School.
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Observed annually on July 20, World Chess Day celebrates one of the world’s oldest strategy games while highlighting its role in promoting critical thinking, creativity, inclusion, fairness and mutual respect among players of all ages.
By Kimutai Langat
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