Kenya crowns National Chess Champions 2024

The 2024 Kenya Open and Women’s National Chess Championships were held from 11-15 December in Nairobi. The events attracted 266 entries, with 193 participants in the Open section and 73 players in the Women’s event. Both events were played in 9 rounds, swiss system, with the time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment. The best-ranked four players in both tournaments qualified for the National Team of Kenya for 2025 tournaments.

19-year-old Oluka Robert Mcligeyo (Kenya, 1992) emerged as the sole Winner of the Open championship scoring impressive 8/9 points. Mcligeyo went unbeaten in the tournament and finished half a point ahead of Ndegwa Jackson Kamau (Kenya, 1853) who clinched silver. As many as seven players tied for the third place scoring 7 points, each. Shile Lenny Mataiga had the best tiebreak criteria to win bronze medal, while Kimingi Kimani came fourth and took the final spot in the Kenyan National Team.

WFM Sasha Mongeli (Kenya, 1845) successfully defended the title of Kenya’s Women’s Chess Champion after dramatic finish of the event. As many as four players finished the event scoring 7 points each: Madelta Glenda (Kenya, 1652), WCM Jully Mutisya (Kenya, 1809), WFM Sasha Mongeli (Kenya, 1845) and Gloria Jumba (Kenya, 1680). However, Sasha Mongeli had the best tiebreaks to clinch the title, while all the tiers qualified for the Women’s National Team.

Detailed information and photos by Kenya Chess Masala

Final standings – Open section:

Rk.		Name	Typ	Rtg	Pts.
1	CM	Oluka Robert Mcligeyo	U20	1992	8
2		Ndegwa Jackson Kamau		1853	7.5
3		Shile Lenny Mataiga		1882	7
4		Kimani Kimingi		1876	7
5		Simiyu Jadon	U12	1816	7
6		Brian Gabriel Mwangi		1902	7
7		Akhanyinya Bryan Toboso		1774	7
8		Kagambi Lawrence	S50	1792	7
9		Okeyo Steve Austine		1909	7
10	CM	Lwanga Aguda	U18	1845	6.5
11		Boera Felix		1891	6.5
12		Omolo Kenneth		1947	6.5
13		Njoroge Martin		1908	6.5
14		Kuka Kyle	U14	1882	6.5
15		Methu Joseph Muragu		1976	6.5
16		Oruke Glen		1782	6.5
17	CM	Magana Ben		2069	6
18		Kaloki Hawi	U18	2020	6
19		Ngani Victor		1953	6
20		Waiganjo Cyrus Gathura		1544	6
21		Young Collins	S50	1739	6
22	AFM	Okemwa Eugene		1763	6
23		Riungu Kevin		1707	6
24		Warimwe David James	U14	1664	6
25		Kagambi Jeremiah	U14	1621	6
26		Gathoni Paul Waweru		1639	6
27		Mugambi Christian Mwamba	U12	1777	6
28		Okonga Hugh Misiko		1907	6
29		Mulindi Trevor		1822	6
30		Sang Ricky		1831	6
31		Manyeki Nathaniel	U10	1746	6
32		Waweru Davidson Mugo	U12	1594	6
33		Gohil Mehul		1995	5.5
34		Sagwa Hillary		1854	5.5
35		Mwendwa Eric Muteti		1755	5.5
36		Otieno George Ochieng	S50	1788	5.5
37		Aberi Shem		1738	5.5
38		Mathenge Gichuga	U16	1492	5.5
39		Mwega Nkanda		1662	5.5
40		Simiyu Baraka Daniel	U16	1675	5.5
41		Cheruiyot Elly		1688	5.5
42		Mulaga Geoffrey	S50	1855	5.5
43		Wathimba Bradley	U14	1713	5.5
44		Kagambi Samuel	U18	1616	5.5
45		Wanjiru Chrisphinus	U20	1722	5.5
46	CM	Lwanga Odongo	U16	1696	5.5
47		Ndirangu Peter Mburu		0	5.5
48		Wayne Joe Njarumi	U14	1615	5.5
49		Chumba Allan		1832	5.5
50		Jamie Obora Kanango	U16	1643	5.5
51		Osoro Samuel Onsongo		1768	5.5
52		Muli Raphael		1697	5.5
53		Odhiambo Harmony		1802	5
54		Marani Caleb		1768	5
55		Sirat Omar		1778	5
56		Lwanga Charles Karoli	S50	1770	5
57		Mangi Lenox		1752	5
58		Kipkoech Hekima	U14	1546	5
59		Kathulu Simon Kaseu		1585	5
60		Koech Emmanuel Kiptoo	U18	1570	5
61		Wanjihia Anthony		1583	5
62		Wanjala Samuel	U16	1607	5
63		Muli Faraja Mumo	U10	1538	5
64		Francis Kirite	U18	0	5
65		Kenneth Koome Kinoti		1540	5
66		Koyra Petos	S50	1645	5
67		Curtis Reuben Thuo	U12	1498	5
68		Simiyu Jerry	U16	1688	5
69		Adorwa Brian Kadenge		1843	5
70		Kyalo Peter	U20	1596	5
71		Olando Paul Jnr	U16	1747	5
72		Jacksletter Musyoka		1615	5
73		Kuguru Harrison Githinji		1761	5
74		Njoroge Dadson Rwamba		1675	5
75		Jesse Fabian	U14	1592	5
76		Gacheru Francis Nderitu	U12	0	5
77		Kahara Ethan Kariuki	U14	1539	5
78		Kienjeku Evans Muigai	U18	1574	5
79		Jacob Mandela	U12	0	5
80		Mutongoi Ian	U20	1588	5
81		Muchoki Morgan Maina	U18	0	4.5
82		Osidiana Eli	U12	0	4.5
83		Amunga Givans	S50	1849	4.5
84		Baraka Arunga	U16	1544	4.5
85		Wasonga Floyd	U12	1491	4.5
86		Mwangangi Jakes	U18	0	4.5
87		Kiruthu Teddy Wahome	U16	1570	4.5
88		Mark Joram		1406	4.5
89		Harold Irungu		0	4.5
90		Osundwa Ihabi	U16	0	4.5
91		Ndungu Brian Marvin	U18	1467	4.5
92		Mwangi Aaron Muturi	U18	0	4.5
93		Kimani Hubert		1739	4.5
94		Muchiri Henry		1483	4.5
95		Kipkemei Allan Kiptum	U18	1612	4.5
96		Muiruri Don Kamami	U14	1600	4.5
97		Mukaria Victor		1777	4.5
98		Omani Wycliffe		1656	4
99		Amatalo Moses Abasa		1819	4
100		Kamau Hezron Gichuki		1529	4
101		Prince Isaac Munyua	U12	1621	4
102		Dominic Carlos Kiema		1687	4
103		Ngugi Francis		0	4
104		Muchoki Trevor Kanyuithia	U14	1480	4
105		Saibala Alfa	U20	0	4
106		Elvis Munene	U20	1409	4
107		Okumu Allan		0	4
108		Otieno Ronny		1487	4
109		Wambalo Wong		1591	4
110		Mark Mburu	U18	0	4
111		Kipruto Caleb		1561	4
112		Oluchiri Jeshurun Inyangala	U12	1559	4
113		Joseph Masika Wanjala		0	4
114		Godgray Onywere Ochako		0	4
115		Levi Jonathan		0	4
116		Wanjala Benard		1789	4
117		Adiel Kipkorir	U14	0	4
118		Maoga Trevor	U14	1635	4
119		Kamanda Ryan	U16	0	4
120		Ivan Ngeno	U12	1516	4
121		John Chege	U14	0	4
122		Apamo Shem Mali	U10	1545	4
123		Nthiga Blair Wema	U14	1429	4
124		Kerry Kiambi	U18	1527	4
125		Jayson Kimani Ndarwa	U10	1548	4
126		Omollo Tendai Gichuhi	U10	0	4
127		Ombiro Clifford		1590	3.5
128		Michael Lucas	U12	0	3.5
129		Nathaniel Waithaka	U12	0	3.5
130		Derry Maari		0	3.5
131		Atieli Kennedy John	U20	1459	3.5
132		Kiplangat Baraka	U10	0	3.5
133		Anindo Andericus	U12	1621	3.5
134		Omollo Felix		0	3.5
135		Dylan Maina Muraguri	U14	0	3.5
136		Liam Valambhia	U12	1484	3.5
137		Mugisha Jean- Christophe	U10	1430	3.5
138		Nyakundi Wesley Kithinji	U12	0	3.5
139		Ryan Koyra	U14	1502	3.5
140		Chazima Terence Shaka	U14	0	3.5
141		Erick Nyabota		1611	3.5
142		Ryan Muhoro	U14	0	3.5
143		Andrew Kagema	U10	0	3.5
144		Lewis Njoroge Mungai		0	3.5
145		Mark Gacheru	U14	0	3.5
146		Wachio Allen Kizito		0	3.5
147		Ndegwa Irwin Ndege	U12	0	3.5
148		Maari Kelly Sosi	U12	1546	3.5
149		Gicheha Kennedy	U18	1636	3.5
150		Waweru Stephen		1446	3.5

Final standings – Women’s section:

Rk.		Name	Typ	Rtg	Pts.
1		Madelta Glenda		1652	7
2	WCM	Mutisya Jully		1809	7
3	WFM	Mongeli Sasha		1845	7
4		Jumba Gloria		1680	7
5		Cherono Mercy		1594	6.5
6	WCM	Ndirangu Joyce Nyaruai		1817	6.5
7		Elizabeth Cassidy Maina	U14	1704	6.5
8		Nashipae Bella	U14	1488	6
9		Kaloki Zuri	U14	1737	6
10		Awuor Concillia Ndegwa		1602	6
11		Kagambi Angel	U16	1560	6
12		Rachier Ivy		0	6
13		Nicole Albright		1694	6
14		Ibrahim Zena	U16	1595	6
15		Shannon Bulimo		1453	5.5
16		Kaburo Winnie	U10	1513	5.5
17		Onyango Shirlyn Gathoni	U12	1585	5.5
18		Maysie Andia	U16	1432	5.5
19		Muturi Erica Mumbi	U16	1477	5.5
20		Ingado Mercy	U20	1661	5.5
21		Shukri Shakirah	U14	1613	5
22		Obonyo Abigail	U12	1480	5
23		Waswa Abigael	U14	0	5
24		Kosgei Catherine Jebet		1696	5
25		Bhavsar Nisha Nileshbhai		1561	5
26		Maashao Genevieve	U14	1497	5
27		Breetalizah Amanda	U10	0	5
28		Kimani Wanjiru		1630	5
29		Fantalis Lucy Nduta	U14	1538	5
30		Kuka Riziki	U12	1512	5
31		Kamoni Elsie Wambui	U10	1417	5
32		Agnes Mary	U14	1522	5
33	WCM	Wanjiru Lucy		1649	4.5
34		Mutwol Cherry Jepchirchir	U16	1558	4.5
35		Njeri Maureen Kirigo		1504	4.5
36		Gilana Angel Muthoni	U12	1504	4.5
37		Wangari Esther	U18	0	4.5
38		Patricia Nafuna	U16	0	4.5
39		Muthoni Vivian	U20	1498	4.5
40		Atiagaga Laurecia Minage	U18	1422	4.5
41		Jasmine Akinyi Ochieng	U12	0	4.5
42		Mckenzie Chanel	U14	1513	4
43		Matei Veronicah		1582	4
44		Njuguna Lisa Wanjiru	U14	1429	4
45		Neondo Sarah Naomi	U14	1429	4
46		Winnie Opiyo	U18	0	4
47		Gichuga Wanjiru Wanjiku	U10	1445	4
48		Wothaya Mary	U18	0	4
49		Kadenge Julia Kasei	U20	0	4
50		Wendoh Brianna Brandy	U12	1456	4
51		Salma Nkatha Mwenda	U10	0	4
52		Wamaitha Rania	U12	1431	4
53		Mboya Grace Lily	U16	1439	4
54		Chemutai Faith	U18	0	4
55		Wanjiku Amani	U14	0	4
56		Oluchiri Jadarudo Achieng	U10	1512	3.5
57		Nyambura Ivy	U20	1452	3.5
58		Kungu Nicole Wanjiru	U14	1449	3.5
59		Chepkoiwo Blessing Jerutich	U12	0	3.5
60		Mali Mugo	U08	0	3.5
61		Sang Olive		0	3.5
62		Hope Amana Kairo	U14	0	3
63		Flevian Gesare	U16	0	3
64		Ndunge Keyshia	U16	0	3
65		Penzi Favour	U16	0	3
66		Mushila Angel Khasiani	U20	1491	3
67		Koech Noreen Cherono	U18	0	3
68		Karanja Ether		1639	3
69		Mushila Ayra	U08	0	2.5
70		Samara Ayuma	U10	0	2
71		Nduku Mary		0	2
72		Erin Njeri	U14	0	2
73		Georgina Ngure		0	1.5

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