Kiambu Open Chess Championships returns after 5 years with Ksh225,000 up for grabs
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 08.05.25. | 15:05
The event also has at stake a lucrative Ksh225,000 prize money to be divided among the winners in both the open and ladies’ categories
After the Nakuru Open Chess Championships, action moves to Rainbow Ruiru Resort this weekend for the Kiambu Open Chess Championships.
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A strong field of players has registered for the two-day event, which is part of the grand prix series that will be used to pick a national team to represent the country in various international tournaments next year.
The event also has at stake a lucrative Ksh225,000 prize money to be divided among the winners in both the open and ladies’ categories.
After winning the Nakuru Open tournament, South Sudanese James Punchol will be out to make it two wins in a row, and the Ksh40,000 prize money on offer should be enough motivation for him to win.
National champion Robert Macligeyo is making a comeback to the event and said he hopes to do well.
“It has a tough field, but I expect to do well, though it will not be easy to win it,” he said.
This is the last local tournament for Macligeyo as he flies out of the country next week to take part in the Africa Individual Chess Championships to be held in Egypt from Tuesday, 13 to Thursday, 22 May.
Apart from Macligeyo, Kenya will also be represented by Sasha Maingi and Kimani Kimingi in the tournament that brings together the best players from the continent.
Two former national champions, Martin Njoroge and Joseph Methu, have also registered for the two-day Kiambu Open Chess Championships.
The ladies category will also have a tough field with Joyce Nyaruai from KCB and Equity Bank’s Julie Mutiysa headlining the two-day tournament.
There is Ksh30,000 on offer for the top prize in the ladies category. Organisers have announced that there will also be special prizes for people living with disability, veterans and students taking part in the event.
The tournament is coming back after a five-year absence, and organisers have promised to hold it every year.
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