Teenager saves Equity's blushes at FIDE World Rapids Championship in London
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 12.06.25. | 21:07
Team Equity is in the London derby, representing Kenya after winning the National Chess League twice in a row
Teenager Kyle Kuka was the sole winner as Equity Bank finally got the coveted FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship underway.
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The Equity Chess Team's prodigy saved the day following a tough start for the bankers in the 12-round event.
Kuka, playing with white pieces against George Ivanov of England, found himself in a sticky position, which appeared to lead to a dead end for him.
However, the youngster stuck to his repertoire, allowing his opponents to overestimate his chances of winning.
The psychological stance paid off when Kyle, despite being two pawns down, allowed his opponent’s hubris to get the better of him.
With the clock running out in the fast-paced blitz format of 15 minutes, Ivanov blundered and allowed Kyle’s rook to infiltrate his seventh rank.
The Kenyan prodigy did not hesitate to punish this error, forcing Ivanov to resign. The game ended 5-1 in favour of English Knightmares.
Team Equity is in the London derby, representing Kenya after winning the National Chess League twice in a row.
The lineup of the team is composed of Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jully Mutisya, International Master (IM) Arthur Sswengwanyi, Fide Master (FM) Haruna Nsubuga, Fide Master (FM) Patick Kawuma, Artjom Gurevich, Brian Wangombe and Kyle Kuka.
The technical team is composed of Captain Njagi Kabugu, assisted by Victor Ongono, and Moses Andiwoh as coach.
Kyle said, “Such an international tournament is a good opportunity for us to showcase what we can do. The quality of play here is like nothing I have experienced before.
These guys have impressive theoretical knowledge of chess and have good technical support in terms of coaches and access to AI tools. However, we are here to show them that it is wit against wit.
We came expecting nothing but a fierce resistance, and so far, that is what we have experienced. We will keep check-mating them and continue fighting hard to the end.”
Reacting to the results, Coach Moses Andiwoh said, “For the last few months, our team has upped their game in terms of training, well aware that they will be facing chess giants.
Despite the results so far, I am proud of the team since each player gave their best and went down with a good fight. I am particularly impressed by Kyle, who has trounced one of the giants.
His win has given the team good impetus to realise that on the 64 squares, even the mighty can fall. This fortitude and resilience are what differentiates our team.”
Chess Kenya President, Bernard Wanjala, who accompanied the team, said, “Equity is the best in Kenya, and now they have to face the best of the best in the world. This is not going to be an easy feat, but I am very optimistic that the team has what it takes to leave a good mark here.
Chess as a sport is growing in Kenya, and it is opportunities like this one which give our players the exposure they need to get to the next level.”
The Chess team has previously represented Kenya at the Africa Club Championship 2017 and the Africa individual Chess Championship in 2022, which are continental derbies. This is the first time that the team is representing the county at a world championship.
Now in its fourth leg, the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship has attracted 52 teams.
