Kenyan teenager eyeing third continental crown as BCM Open Chess Championships start in Zambia
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 19.11.25. | 17:45
He has won two continental titles-the Africa Youth Chess Championship last year in South Africa and this year’s Africa Schools Chess Championship held in Mombasa
National under-13 champion Jadon Simiyu is confident of winning the 2025 BCM Open Chess Championship, that started on Thursday in Zambia .
The Nakuru-based Simiyu will take part in the event’s elite section featuring players with a rating of above 2100.
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Simiyu will have an opportunity to play against Zambia’s top players among them is International Master (IM) Andrew Kayonde, Cornelius Masikini and International Master (IM) Richmond Phiri.
Simiyu said he is excited and looks forward to meeting highly rated players in Zambia.
"This is not a daily experience and I hope to do well and collect some elo points and perhaps even win the tournament,” he said.
Simiyu revealed he has been training for the event over the last two weeks-and believes he has what it takes to win part of the Kshs 1 million prize fund on offer.
The teenager finished fifth at the Nakuru Open tournament held at the weekend, although he believes that he could have done better.
“I did very well in the first four rounds, but then fatigue set in and I blundered in some winning positions,” he revealed.
Jadon has emerged as one of Kenya’s most promising young chess talents.
He has won two continental titles-the Africa Youth Chess Championship last year in South Africa and this year’s Africa Schools Chess Championship held in Mombasa.
He has also crossed the 2100 rating mark, reflecting his discipline, consistency, and exceptional potential.
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Jadon is also a member of the Chess Kenya Elite Academy, which was established two years ago to nurture top talents in the country by giving them an opportunity to take part in international events.
Elsewhere, Chess Kenya will send two players to next year’s intellect cup to be held in Russia.
This is the second time that Kenya is taking part in the event.
The two players shortlisted for the tournament are Floyd Wesonga and Dylan Wema.
They will be accompanied by Caroline Njenga to the February 16th to February 22nd event.
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