Strong field register for Eldoret Open Chess Championship
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 04.02.26. | 14:02
Unlike last year, the prize fund has increased to Ksh116,000, up from Ksh80,000, which was dished out in the first edition
Just as in the inaugural event, the second edition of the Eldoret Open Chess Championship pencilled for this weekend has attracted a strong field, and with an increased fund, it promises to be full of fireworks.
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Unlike last year, the prize fund has increased to Ksh116,000, up from Ksh80,000, which was dished out in the first edition.
The top Open prize has shot to Ksh45,000 compared to Ksh30,000, which was paid last year.
Organisers have boosted the prize fund after receiving a Ksh100,000 sponsorship from local company Trace My Car (TMC).
The Eldoret Open is the first grand prix in the 2026 Chess Kenya calendar and is among the 20 events lined up to select the national team for various international tournaments to be held next year.
Among the top names featured in this year’s tournament is South Sudanese Gong Thon Gong from Mavens Chess Club.
Thon earned a record Ksh300,000 prize fund last year after winning six grand prix events and is expected to perform even better this year.
Among the major events that he won last year include the Waridi Chess Festival, Mavens Open, Kisumu Open and KCB Open.
Thon skipped last year’s Eldoret Open, and his presence this time around is expected to raise the stakes for the top prize.
Former national champion Ben Magana has also registered to take part in the Eldoret Open.
It is his second time in the tournament, and he will be looking to improve on his fourth-place finish last year.
His teammate Felix Boera has also registered to take part. The ladies' section also has a strong field. Elizabeth Cassidy, fresh from winning the African Under-14 Championships in Zimbabwe last year, is in the field.
This is her first event of the year, and she will be keen to put behind her the disappointments of failing to make it to the national team that will represent the country in the 46th Chess Olympiad.
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