Kenyan chess grand prix events set to double in 2026
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 13.01.26. | 15:52
Last year, a total of 20 grand prix events were held across the country. A record Ksh4.6 million was paid out as prize fund for the events
The number of chess grand prix events to be held in the country this year has doubled, signalling increasing earnings for local players.
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Last year, a total of 20 grand prix events were held across the country. A record Ksh4.6 million was paid out as prize fund for the events.
This year, 20 new events have been added to the calendar. The new events will be held in the newly registered county associations.
Among the new events to be held this year is the Kericho Open International Tournament, which has been scheduled for May 1-3 and will be hosted by the Kericho County Association.
Also returning after a three-year absence is the Kenya Open International to be held from April 3-6.
The event was last held in 2023 and had a record prize fund of Ksh5.3million. It attracted some of the top Grand Masters in the world.
Two weeks after the Kenya Open, action will move to the Sataranji Africa Chess Festival, which also joins the grand prix events.
Kakamega Open is also another new event to be held on May 9-10, as well as Siaya Open to be held on June 25-27.
Kajiado Open will also be held for the first time on October 24-25. Kenyan players will be under pressure to do well in the events, considering that last year, foreigners dominated, pocketing the most amount of money.
South Sudanese nationals Gong Thon Gong and James Punchol collected the largest amount of money.
Gong was paid Ksh250,000 in prize fund after emerging first in six tournaments.
The Mavens Chess Club player started 2025 on a winning note by clinching the Waridi Chess Festival held in March, where he collected the Ksh30,000 top prize.
In the same month, he won the Mavens Open Tournament where he pocketed Ksh50,000. The tournament had a prize fund of Ksh260,000.
He also claimed the Kisumu Open Tournament held in March, collecting Ksh30,000.
His biggest win was the KCB Open held in October, where he collected Ksh100,000.
Another high earner was James Punchol, also from South Sudan. The highest earner among the local players was national champion Jadon Simiyu, who pocketed Ksh100,000.
