New Winners emerge at Kenya National Chess Championships
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 09.04.25. | 14:22
The under-7 boy winner was Karugo Timothy Maina of Pine Crest Academy, who secured the championship with an unbeaten 8.5 points
New champions were honored as the Kenya National Chess Championships came to a close at Mang'u High School on Monday.
In a display of sheer pawn-ache, Amini Muhani of Maasai Primary School clinched the under-7 girls title with an impressive 8.5 points.
Her only draw was in round seven against Aaliyah Jasmine Mackenzie of Banda School, who also finished with 8.5 points but settled for second place on tie-breaks.
The second runner-up was Mitchelle Gichuga of Thome School with 7.5 points, having drawn against Britta Wambui of Spleng School and conceded a round five game to Tamara Kemunto of The Nyali School, who secured fourth place with seven points.
The under-7 boy winner was Karugo Timothy Maina of Pine Crest Academy, who secured the championship with an unbeaten 8.5 points, only conceding a draw to Martin Jabali Murathime.
The runner-up position was claimed by Hitansh Galaiya of Melvin Johns School with eight points, closely followed by Mark Prinsley of Holistic Space Academy, also on eight points.
Demonstrating a queen's gambit, homeschooled sensation Naomi Nandi Wamwenje dominated the category with a perfect score to emerge as the girls under-9 champion.
Her final round victory over Mali Mugo, who finished second with eight points, was a masterstroke.
Gathoni Zuri of Kiota School secured third place, also with 8 points. Andy Zane Wright from Mirema School finished with maximum points and is the new boys under-9 champion.
He was followed by Ethan Kiptoo of Moi Education Centre, who came in second with 8.5 points, while highly rated Marc Antoine Ishimwe of Premier Academy was third with 8 points.
Other category winners were: Girls under-11: Gichuga Wanjiku (Spleng School), Boys under-11: Nathaniel Manyeki (Brookhouse International School). Under-13 girls: Riziki Kuka (Kianda School). Under-13 Boys: Jadon Simiyu. Under-15 Girls: Shukri Shakira (Jalaram Academy), Under-15 Boys: Wayne Njaurumi (Chess Kenya Elite Academy). Girls under-17: Angel Kagambi. Boys under-17: Paul Olando Junior.
All players who collected six points and above will represent the country in next month’s Africa Schools Chess Championships to be held in Mombasa.
