From Kakuma to Kisumu: Refugee youth make bold moves on the chessboard of hope
In a journey that transcends borders and circumstance, ten young players from Kakuma Refugee Camp competed in the East Africa Under-21 Chess Championship in Kisumu from November 7 to 9, 2025. Sponsored by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Chess Kenya, their participation was far more than a sporting opportunity, it was a celebration of courage, resilience, and the unifying power of chess. For most of these young players, life has been confined within the boundaries of the camp. Many were born in Kakuma, a place that has offered safety but limited exposure to the outside world. Yet, across 64 black-and-white squares, they have discovered a new kind of freedom, a place where talent and determination matter more than background or status. Competing in Kisumu allowed them to meet some of the best young players from across East Africa, to test their skills, share ideas, and, most importantly, to feel part of something bigger than the camp itself. Every move they make on the chessboard told a powerful story: refugee status is not a barrier, it is a beginning. The year 2025 has been declared the FIDE Year of Social Chess, a global celebration of chess as a tool for positive change and community development. Around the world, FIDE is supporting programs that use the game to empower the underprivileged, bridge social divides, and promote education and equality. In Kenya, the vision of the Year of Social Chess is brought to life through the Chess in Refugee Camps Program, a partnership between FIDE, UNHCR, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Gift of Chess and Chess Kenya. DGT joined the partnership with a donation of 100 clocks. The initiative aims to use chess not only to teach strategy and focus but also to build confidence, critical thinking, and resilience among refugee children. Anastasia Sorokina, FIDE’s Social Projects Manager, emphasized the transformative impact of the initiative: “Chess has the power to change lives. In Kakuma, we have seen young people grow in confidence, discipline, and hope through the game. Their journey to Kisumu is proof that opportunity can unlock incredible potential. FIDE is proud to stand with these players, as they represent not just a camp, but a spirit of strength and possibility.” The Kisumu tournament marked the third major outing for the Kakuma team this year, following their participation in the Kenya National Schools Chess Championship in Kiambu and the Kenya National Youth Championship in Kitale. Each event has expanded their horizons, giving them new experiences, friendships, and confidence in their own potential. Benard Wanjala, President of Chess Kenya, expressed pride in how far the refugee chess program has come: “What began as a small project in Kakuma has grown into one of the most inspiring chess stories in Africa. These young players are ambassadors of hope. Chess Kenya is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has a chance to learn, compete, and succeed. Their participation in Kisumu shows that chess truly unites us all.” A cornerstone of the program is the Girls’ Chess Club, where young women are taught not only the game but also vital life skills. Guided by mentors who have triumphed over their own challenges, the girls learn to lead, to believe in themselves, and to see beyond temporary hardships. Every training session is a step toward empowerment, a lesson in strategy for both the chessboard and life itself. Heading to Kisumu, the Kakuma team carried more than chessboards and pieces, they carried the hopes of a community that believes in them. In every handshake across the board, in every careful move, lay a message of unity and resilience: We belong. We can achieve. We are ready to make our move. Their journey from Kakuma to Kisumu is not just about competing, it’s about redefining what’s possible when opportunity meets determination. And for these young players, every move forward is a step toward a brighter, more inclusive future. Kakuma Chess Club triumphs at East Africa Under-21 Chess Championship Kakuma Chess Club has once again proven its growing strength on the regional stage with an impressive performance at the Victoria East Africa Under-21 Open Chess Championship. The team fielded ten young players who competed in four categories: Prestige Open, Prestige Ladies, Elite Open, and Elite Ladies. Kakuma’s players stood out in both the girls’ and boys’ sections, bringing home a remarkable collection of trophies and medals, including one gold, two silver and three bronze medals. The club’s outstanding showing in the Elite Category earned them the coveted “Best Chess Club” award, a testament to their collective excellence, teamwork, and dedication to the sport.
World Cup chaos in Goa: 2700+ giants fall like ninepins as Gukesh, Giri, and Abdusattorov are eliminated
The second game of round three was every bit as thrilling as expected. The formidable German Olympiad squad – Keymer, Bluebaum, Donchenko, and the Svane brothers – created a sensation this afternoon at the Rio Resort in Goa. Four of them advanced to the fourth round, with two scoring massive upsets by eliminating the tournament’s top seed, GM Gukesh D, and fourth seed, GM Anish Giri, from the World Cup. The five German grandmasters have formed a close-knit unit during the event — sharing meals, walking to the venue together, and supporting one another throughout the rounds. And so far, their camaraderie seems to be paying off handsomely. With today’s action concluded, 11 of the 32 matches will be decided in tiebreaks tomorrow narrowing the field to the final 32 players still in contention for the prestigious World Cup trophy. Let’s take a closer look at the action as the afternoon unfolded. The round began with the ceremonial first move, performed by Mr. Ajit Roy of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Serving as Secretary to the Governor of Mizoram, Mr. Roy played 1.e4 on Board 1 in the game between World Champion GM Gukesh D and GM Frederik Svane of Germany. As it was Saturday, the playing hall was packed with spectators. To manage the large number of visitors, the organizers implemented a slot system, allowing fans to purchase tickets for specific time periods. Naturally, the first slot sells out almost instantly – it’s the only opportunity for visitors to enter the hall with their mobile phones and take a few selfies with the players. Although I usually head back to the media and broadcast center as soon as the games begin, this afternoon I decided to stay in the playing hall for the first thirty minutes to observe the players’ behaviour when it was not their move. As expected, most of the sixty-four participants – elite professionals that they are – remained seated, deeply focused and analysing variations even while their opponents were thinking. Focus, after all, is everything in chess. Yet a few preferred to stretch their legs in the early stages, each displaying their own distinct walking style. From today’s observations, Anish Giri stood out as the player who spent the most time pacing along the cordoned-off line. His manner is unmistakable: hands clasped behind his back, posture upright, stride calm and deliberate. He walks like a man fully in control – of his position on the board and of his composure off it – graceful, self-assured, and just a touch enigmatic. A master of opening theory, Giri is always impeccably prepared, often leaving his opponents to shoulder the burden of early thought. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave’s walking style mirrors the very essence of his chess — focused, brisk, and quietly self-assured. He paces lightly between the boards with a subtle bounce in his stride, hands sometimes tucked into his pockets or folded neatly behind his back. He walks like a man calculating variations mid-step: absorbed, calm, yet charged with a quiet inner energy. Former World Cup winner Levon Aronian also enjoys taking strolls during the opening phase. Often smiling or chatting briefly with colleagues, he can frequently be seen wandering toward the lower boards, keeping an eye on the games of his former Armenian teammates — Sargissian, Hovhannisyan, and Sargsyan – who continue to battle it out in the event. Other elite players, such as Mamedyarov, Erigaisi, and Keymer, also favour mid-opening walks, usually with their hands casually in their pockets. Meanwhile, Dubov, Praggnanandhaa, and Rapport prefer the nearby refreshment area, where two large screens display miniature versions of every game, allowing them to monitor their own boards – and everyone else’s – without breaking their rhythm. Exactly an hour and a half into play, the first player had already secured qualification to the fourth round — the stage where only 32 competitors remain in contention for the coveted Candidates spots. Having won his first game yesterday, GM Matthias Bluebaum (2687), the recent runner-up at the Samarkand Grand Swiss, opted for the Exchange Variation of the King’s Indian Defence, calmly trading off every piece in sight and forcing an effortless draw to seal his spot in the next round. His opponent, 15-year-old GM Ivan Zemlyanskii (2596), can take great pride in his performance. He leaves Goa with a well-earned €11,000 prize and, more importantly, a wealth of experience that will serve him well in future competitions. As we’ve seen repeatedly in previous rounds, the 2700+ rated players are losing momentum. The latest casualty was Slovenian GM Vladimir Fedoseev (2720), who bowed out of the event after losing his second game to Poland’s ever-dangerous GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek. A six-time Polish champion, Wojtaszek may be rated 2654 at the moment, but with a career peak of 2750, he remains one of the most respected and solid players of his generation. Needing a win with Black against such a stable opponent, Fedoseev resorted to a sharp line of the English Defence that modern theory has all but refuted. He chose the risky continuation 4…f5?, and after 5.exf5 Bxg2 6.Qh5+ g6 7.fxg6 Bg7 8.gxh7+ Kf8, Black temporarily wins a rook on h1 — but at a terrible price. The resulting attack for White is well-known to be decisive, with modern engines giving a clear +2 evaluation. Fedoseev was gambling that Wojtaszek might not recall the precise theoretical nuances, and for a brief moment, it almost worked. But in the end, his luck ran out, and the Polish grandmaster’s attack broke through convincingly. We caught up with Wojtaszek in the interview area afterward, where he shared his thoughts on the match and the critical moments of the opening. https://youtu.be/uez5jXEsnIk?si=L0eRrSToOvIBfNMz The full game can be consulted on the Live Games section of the tournament website. Dutch GM Jorden Van Foreest (2697) will live to fight another day in Goa. Needing a win after yesterday’s loss to GM Alexey Sarana (2661), the ever-creative Dutchman once again demonstrated why he’s considered one of the most
FIDE Trainer Awards 2024: Winners announced
The International Chess Federation (FIDE), together with the FIDE Trainers’ Commission (TRG), is pleased to announce the winners of the 16th FIDE Trainer Awards 2024, recognizing and celebrating the exceptional achievements of the global chess training community. These prestigious awards honor the outstanding work of trainers whose dedication and expertise have contributed significantly to chess development worldwide. Vakhtang Karseladze Award Photo: Maria Emelianova Pavel Kotsur (Kazakhstan) receives the award for the best achievement by trainer(s) in women’s and/or girl’s competitions. Recognized for his productive work with the Kazakhstan women’s national team, Kotsur served as both captain and coach, leading the team to a historic silver medal at the 45th Chess Olympiad. Mikhail Botvinnik Award Photo: Eng Chin An Richard Rapport (Hungary) wins the Mikhail Botvinnik Award for the best achievement in Open Section competitions. Rapport served as Ding Liren’s second in the 2024 World Championship Match. Although Ding lost the title, he mounted a valiant defense, with the match being decided only in the final game. Mark Dvoretsky Award Photo: Lennart Ootes Mikhail Kobalia (FIDE) has been chosen by the judges for the Mark Dvoretsky Award for the best achievement by a trainer in junior events. Over the past eight years, he has worked productively with GM Volodar Murzin. In 2024, his pupil made headlines by winning the World Rapid Championship. Yuri Averbakh/Isaac Boleslavsky Book Award 2024 The Yuri Averbakh/Isaac Boleslavsky Award for the best instructional chess book goes to published in 2023 goes to Mastering Chess Endgame Calculation – Level 1 co-authored by Adrian Mikhalchishin & Tadej Sakelšek and published by Forward Chess. The book is the first part of a trilogy designed to help chess players up to 1700 rating improve their endgame calculation skills. It covers all the important theoretical positions and techniques that are necessary for successful endgame play, and includes 400 carefully selected exercises to help readers practice and reinforce their understanding of these concepts. The exercises are arranged progressively. This book stands out for its clear and concise explanations of key concepts, combined with practical exercises. Trainer Awards jury panel The FIDE Trainers’ Commission expresses its deepest appreciation to the distinguished jury members, whose expertise, experience, and integrity guided the selection process: GM Bassem Amin GM Mihail Marin IM Willy Iclicki GM Alonso Zapata Their invaluable contribution ensured a fair, insightful, and professional evaluation of all nominations. The FIDE Trainers’ Commission warmly congratulates all winners and extends sincere thanks to all federations, trainers, and authors who submitted nominations. These awards continue to highlight the vital role of trainers and educators in nurturing chess excellence across the world.