Africa-Press – Kenya. Teenage prodigies Jadon Simiyu and Jully Mutisya stamped their authority at the 2025 National Chess Championship in Nairobi.
The two claimed the Open and Ladies’ titles respectively, leading a dominant showing by Equity Chess Club at the invite-only event.
Simiyu, 14, produced a mature and composed run across the 11-round championship to clinch the Open title outright on eight points.
He finished clear of a field stacked with Kenya’s top-ranked players and underlined his rapid rise on the national stage.
He said the win was the result of patience and discipline and added that he hopes it inspires other young players to believe in long-term preparation.
“This title means a lot to me. I’ve worked for it move by move.”
Equity’s grip on the Open section was reinforced by fellow teenager FM Kuka Kyle, who finished second on 7.5 points after toppling several seasoned opponents along the way.
KCB Chess Club’s CM Robert Mcligeyo settled for third on seven points to complete the podium.
In the Ladies’ section, Jully Mutisya emerged champion on tie-breaks after finishing level on eight points with WFM Sasha Mongeli.
The Equity player held her nerve in critical endgames, explaining that mental recovery was key over the long tournament, saying, “I had to stay focused and recover mentally after difficult games.”
She expressed hope that her success would encourage more girls to compete at elite level.
Mongeli took second place, with Nicole Albright of Mavens Chess Club finishing third on seven points.
The championship, which doubled as Kenya’s selection event for international competitions including the World Chess Olympiad, drew only qualifiers from the Chess Kenya Grand Prix series.
Equity players occupied four of the six available podium positions across both sections.
Chess Kenya president Bernard Wanjala praised the quality of play and the growing influence of youth at the top end of the game, while chief arbiter Anthony Kionga described the tournament as one of the most competitive national championships in recent years.
Simiyu’s father, Aggrey Simiyu, attributed the breakthrough to years of sacrifice and structured development.
With teenage players topping both sections, the results signalled a clear generational shift in Kenyan chess as the national teams prepare for international duty, with Simiyu, Mutisya and several of their peers now expected to form the core of Kenya’s Olympiad squads.
