Millions at Stake in Kenya Chess Open Championship

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Chess Kenya has announced a major prize fund for this year’s Kenya Open championships that will be held over the Easter Holidays at Sarit Center.

The winner of the five day tournament will walk away with Sh.1million making it the richest ever chess tournament in Africa.

A total prize fund of Ksh 5.3million will be at stake for winners in the various categories.

Chess Kenya President Bernard Wanjala said they expect top players from around the world to take part in the tournament that starts on April 6 and ends on April 10.

“We have set the bar high again with such a huge prize fund. Our ambition is always to attract the best players to come to Kenya and help our players get better. It is no different this time around and we expect the best from Africa and the world to turn up for this event,” he said.

He thanked Terrian Chess Africa whom they have partnered with to make the event a success.

“On behalf of the Chess Kenya Federation, I'd like to thank Terrian Chess Africa (TCA) for partnering with us to ensure that together, we deliver an experiential and memorable event. Special mention goes to their team of dedicated and committed directors, who are very passionate about elevating the game of chess, as we transform lives and leave an impactful legacy as epitomized in TCAs slogan 'Give Chess a Chance'."

Apart from the Ksh 1 million top prize in the open category, there will be nine other prizes in this category as well. The runners-up will pocket Ksh 750,000 with the third placed winner walking away with Ksh 500,000.

The fourth placed winner will have Sh.300,000, fifth placed Sh.200,000, sixth placed Sh.100,000, seventh placed Ksh 75,000, eighth placed Ksh 50,000, ninth placed Ksh 30,000 and 10th placed Ksh 10,000.

In the ladies category, the winner will walk away with Ksh 500,000. The runners-up Ksh 350,000, third placed Ksh 200,000, fourth placed Sh.150,000, fifth placed Ksh 100,000, sixth placed Ksh 75,000, seventh placed Ksh 50,000, eighth placed Ksh 30,000, ninth placed Ksh 20,000 and tenth placed Ksh 10,000.

There will be top three prizes in the veterans category which features players over 60. The winner here will walk away with Sh.75,000, Sh.75,000 for the runners-up and Sh.50,000 for the third placed player.

Juniors, Persons Living with Disability will also get lucrative cash prizes.