Jadon Simiyu and Julie Mutisya win highly competitive Kenya Chess Championship
Thirteen-year-old Jadon Simiyu and Jully Mutisya were crowned the new Kenya National Chess Champions following a highly competitive and professionally organized Kenya National Chess Championship 2025, held at the Westwood Hotel in Westlands from December 26 to 31, 2025. The six-day event brought together the country’s strongest players in a demanding classical format that showcased the depth, discipline, and growing maturity of Kenyan chess. The championship was contested over 11 rounds under standard classical time control, with players competing in two games per day. This rigorous schedule tested not only opening preparation and endgame technique, but also physical endurance, emotional resilience, and sustained concentration. Throughout the week, the playing hall witnessed intense battles, grueling endgames, and decisive moments that shaped careers and the future of Kenyan chess. The stakes were among the highest in the nation’s chess history. In a landmark move reflecting Chess Kenya’s strong commitment to gender equity, both the Open and Ladies Section champions received brand-new cars. Additionally, all participants in both sections earned guaranteed cash prizes, ensuring every qualifier was rewarded for reaching the national stage. Beyond the prizes, the championship served as Kenya’s official selection event for international representation. At the conclusion of the 11 rounds, the top five players in both the Open and Ladies sections qualified to represent Kenya at the 46th Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The championship produced a defining and historic moment for Kenyan chess when 13-year-old Jadon Simiyu emerged as the winner in the open section. Displaying remarkable composure and consistency throughout the tournament, Simiyu handled the pressure of elite classical chess with maturity far beyond his years. Already Kenya’s youngest-ever FIDE Master, a title he earned earlier in 2025 after winning the Quo Vadis Open Chess Championship in Nyeri, Simiyu once again rewrote the record books in Westlands. By navigating the grueling 11-round marathon with precision and confidence, he became the youngest Kenya National Chess Champion in history, a result that signals not just individual brilliance but the arrival of a new generation ready to carry Kenyan chess forward on the global stage. Final standings – Open The Ladies Section delivered its own compelling narrative. WCM Julie Mutisya demonstrated resilience, determination, and true championship mentality. After an early setback in Round 2 against WCM Bella Nashipae, Mutisya responded with disciplined, purposeful play, steadily climbing the standings as the competition progressed. Entering the final round, the situation was clear and unforgiving: only a win would secure the title, with WFM Sasha Mongeli and Nicole Albright still in contention. Fully aware of the stakes, Mutisya rose to the occasion, winning her final game under pressure to deservedly claim the 2025 Kenya National Ladies Chess Championship. Final standings – Women A notable highlight of the championship was the dominance of Equity Chess Club, both national champions belong to. This achievement underlined the club’s growing influence within Kenyan and African chess. In 2025, Equity Chess Club also made continental headlines as the only African corporate team to participate in the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship held in Goa in November, marking a historic milestone for African corporate chess representation and reinforcing the club’s role in elite player development. With the conclusion of the 2025 National Championship, Chess Kenya now turns its focus toward preparing its Olympiad teams, strengthening high-performance training structures, and further developing the national competitive pathway. Key priorities include providing international exposure ahead of Samarkand 2026 and reinforcing the Grand Prix circuit to deepen competition and identify emerging talent. Under the leadership of President Benard Wanjala, deputized by Andrew Owili, the federation remains committed to building a sustainable, competitive, and internationally respected chess ecosystem. As Kenya looks toward the World Chess Olympiad 2026, the 2025 National Championship will be remembered as a defining milestone, one that crowned new champions, showcased extraordinary young talent, and reaffirmed Kenya’s growing presence and ambition on the global chess stage. Text and photos: Chess Kenya
Gabriel Davidson and Rose Berline Seine crowned Haitian Champions
CM Gabriel Davidson and WCM Rose Berline Seine emerged as the winners of the 2025 Haitian Championship. Despite a particularly challenging national context, the Haitian Chess Federation (FHE) upheld its commitment to sporting continuity, training, and talent development by successfully organizing a National Championship that brought together the country’s best male and female players. Held from December 20-28, 2025, the event featured open and women’s sections, each with 12 players representing several cities and chess clubs across Haiti, all of whom qualified through national elimination tournaments. Both competitions were round-robins with classical time controls. The top five players in each section qualified to represent Haiti at the 46th Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The opening ceremony and initial rounds took place at Hôtel Montana. The event later moved to Villa Saint-Viateur, where players and officials were accommodated to ensure optimal preparation, rest, and security. Open section : A commanding victory CM Gabriel Davidson, representing Le Pion Chess Club, delivered a commanding performance in the open section, scoring an impressive 9.5/11. The champion conceded just three draws and became the only undefeated player in the tournament. The following players qualified for the national team to represent the country in the 2026 Chess Olympiad: CM Gabriel Davidson – Tour du Roi FM Jean-Louis Marckens – CAVINT FM Etienne Angelo – GHA Chess Club CM Kemly Germinal – Tour du Roi Victor Wyclef – CAMACE The return of Jean-Louis Marckens and Kemly Germinal to the top 5 confirms the competitiveness and stability of Haiti’s elite chess level. Complete final standigns – Open Women’s section: A dominant display Rose Berline Seine (Le Pion Chess Club) dominated the women’s event, winning all eleven games and securing the title with a round to spare. Other players qualified for the national team: WCM Mérisena Cadeau – Inyon Davena Jonet – GHA Chess Club WCM Kineberlie Dunat – ENLA Valencia Jean-François – GHA Chess Club Complete final standings – Women The FHE Executive Committee, under the presidency of Jacky Lumarque, oversaw the event’s overall coordination. Technical and operational management was provided by: Jacques Muller Luxama Joël Bernard Sabrina Jean-Baptiste Jonathan Lafontaine Their collective commitment ensured the full success of the championship. The Haitian Chess Federation expresses its sincere gratitude to its institutional and private partners, whose support was decisive in the successful organization of the 2025 National Championship. Notable partners include: Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) Office of the Prime Minister Groupe Capital ENLA Université Quisqueya AAFDS Sakala The FHE also thanks the media, photographers, graphic designers, Chess.com, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the event. Special recognition is extended to Tessa Maximilien, Karl Philippe Alexis, and Sybille Alexis for their continued support. Photos: Federation Haitienne des Echecs
Hong Kong International Open 2025: A record-breaking success
Top 10 finishers in the Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship, Open Category The 2025 Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship, organized by the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, concluded successfully at Wan Chai’s Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The event attracted over 400 players from 30 regions, including Australia, the United States, Germany, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. The total prize fund was boosted by nearly 20% from the previous edition, with over 80 titled players competing for the title. Thirteen years of progress: A new chapter for Asian Chess Since its inception in 2010, the Hong Kong International Open has now reached its 13th edition. This year marked a historic milestone, featuring the largest number of Grandmasters and International Masters in its history and setting records for both titled player participation and total entrants. The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished guest Akaki Iashvili, a member of the FIDE Management Board and Chairman of the FIDE Events Commission, who made the ceremonial first move to officially inaugurate the championship. As one of Asia’s largest and most prestigious open chess championships, the event is not only a celebration of the sport but also a significant occasion for Hong Kong. It is estimated to have contributed nearly HKD 10 million in economic impact through tourism, hospitality, and related activities. To showcase Hong Kong’s unique local culture, the organizing committee presented several top-seeded players with a special Cantonese-style gift set from the beloved brand “Foodie Dim Sum” during the opening ceremony. This gesture celebrated the players’ arrival and invited them to experience Hong Kong’s famed “yum cha” dining tradition – a true taste of the city’s vibrant culinary charm beyond the chessboard. KK Chan, President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, stated, “Our vision is to make the Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship an annual gathering where chess enthusiasts from around the world come together to compete, connect, and contribute to our vibrant international chess community.” China and Mongolia players claim victories After seven days and nine rounds of intense competition, the top three places in the Open Category were claimed by Mongolia’s IM Amartuvshin Ganzorig (pictured below), China’s GM Peng Xiongjian and India’s GM N R Visakh. The remaining top-ten finishers were: 4th place: IM Vilka Sipila (Finland)5th place: IM A R Ilamparthi (India)6th place: GM Jacek Stopa (Poland)7th place: GM Pang Tao (China)8th place: GM Abhijeet Gupta (India)9th place: FM Sehyun Kwon (South Korea)10th place: GM Maxim Vavulin (Germany) Complete final standings – Open In the Challenger Category, players from China and Hong Kong, China, swept the podium. The standings were topped by China’s Zheng Xiner, the only female player in the top ten, followed by China’s Li Tianbo in second and Hong Kong, China’s Tong Ho Man in third. The remaining top-ten finishers in the Challenger Category were: 4th place: Lam Yui Hei (Hong Kong, China)5th place: Geng Haolin (China)6th place: Guo Bo Kai Owen (Hong Kong, China)7th place: Stanislav Khudovekov (FIDE)8th place: Zhang Hanwen (Hong Kong, China)9th place: Zhang Yangming (China)10th place: Andrew Andi Wu (USA) Complete final standings – Challengers Official website: hkcfl.com/