Chess Kenya to launch first-ever chess academy

A total of 38 players will be part of the first cohort to take part in the Chess Kenya Academy to be launched on Saturday.

The 38 will be trained by two renowned coaches GrandMaster Mikhail Ivanon from Serbia and Zambia international Master Andrew Kayonde.

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According to Chess Kenya president Benard Wanjala, the two coaches will provide both online and physical training.

“This is part of our efforts to develop our top juniors as we work towards having a Kenyan International Master (IM) at the end of this year,” he explained.

The 38 players who will take part in the program include Aguda Lwanga, Odongo Lwanga, Elizabeth Cassidy, Daniel Baraka Simiyu, Davidson Waweru, Eli Osidiana, Samuel Wanjala, Wayne Joe, Mary Agnes Amuti, Abigael Waswa, and Faraja Muli.

Others are, Amandah Odiwuor, Abigail Obonyo, Darien Rotich, Trevor Waweru, Patricia Nafuna, Maysie Andia, Blair Wema Nthiga, Marc-Antoine Ndajigimana, Genevieve Mashao, Dylan Wema, Mary Wothaya, Blessing Chepkoiwo, Faith Chemutai, and Andrericus Anindo.

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Zena Ibrahim, Shirlin Onyango, Jayson Ndarwa, Fantalis Nduta, Annabel Mideva, Floyd Wesonga, Erica Muturi, Grace Mboya, Paul Olando, Hawi Kaloki, Kyle Kuka, Jadon Simiyu and Zuri Kaloki complete the list.

The Chess Kenya official further revealed that they will give out an award of Ksh500,000 to any player who achieves the title of IM by the end of this year.

Zambian-based Kayonde termed it an achievable objective and pointed out three ways to achieve the milestone.

“It is a great initiative and as a coach, there are three ways to do it-win the under-18 Africa Youth Championships, win the Africa Junior under-20 championships or attain a rating of 2400 and three IM Norms.”

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Kayonde said by focusing on the under-20 players, getting a player to have an IM title by the end of this year is achievable.

There are only two IMs in the whole of East and Central Africa and both are from Uganda, Elijah Emoojong and Arthur Ssengwanyi.