Kenya to send tens of players to Africa Chess Championships
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 05.12.25. | 20:30
A total of 12 African countries will take part in the continental event whose winners will earn rights to participate at the World Youth Chess Championships next year
Chess Kenya will send a team of 76 players to the Africa Youth Chess Championships to be held in Zimbabwe from 6-14 December.
Last year’s African under-14 champion Jadon Simiyu leads the Kenyan contingent, which has previously won the continental tournament.
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The Nakuru-based Simiyu will,however, take part in the under-18 category, as he has opted not to defend his title.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Simiyu said he hopes to gain the International Master (IM) title by playing in the senior category.
“Playing in the under-14 category has no major benefit for me. The best I can get even if I win is a conditional Fide Master (FM) title but the under-18 category gives me an opportunity to earn an IM title,” he said.
The category is expected to attract players rated more than 2200, especially from Egypt and South Africa, but the Kenyan teenager insists he is not intimidated.
“My expectations are to finish at least in the top five positions even with all those top players taking part,” he said.
Speaking on his recent experience after taking part in an international tournament in Zambia last month, Simiyu said while he did not perform as expected, he had gained lessons from it- and believes it will help him in Zimbabwe.
“I played with a lot of experienced players and it taught me to be more patient and resilient on the board,” he revealed.
Apart from Simiyu, Nathaniel Manyeki, a former under-10 African champion, is also part of the strong Kenyan team.
He will be improve on hia second-place finish he managed last year when the tournament was held in South Africa.
Manyeki together with his sister Winnie Kaburo are seeking to regain their lost glory. They were declared African champions three years ago.
A total of 12 African countries will take part in the continental event whose winners will earn rights to participate at the World Youth Chess Championships next year.
