Chess Kenya

♟️ 2025 Kenya National Youth & Cadet Chess Championships

📍 Venue: Kitale National Polytechnic
📅 Dates: 1st – 5th August 2025
🏛️ Hosted by: Trans Nzoia County Chess Association
🧠 Organized by: Chess Kenya Federation (CKF)

🧒👧 Who Can Participate?

• 🎓 Kenyan school-going students (including recent graduates and homeschoolers)

• 🧾 Must have participated in official regional qualifiers with 2+ points

• 🏆 2024 National Champions are automatically eligible

• 🌍 Foreign residents may play (but can't win national title)

• 📅 Age categories (as of Jan 1, 2025):

  • 👶 U8 (Born ≥ Jan 1, 2017)

  • 👧 U10 | 👦 U12 | 👧 U14 | 👦 U16 | 👧 U18

🗓️ Schedule Highlights

• 🛬 Arrival: Friday, 1st August

• 🧑‍⚖️ Tech Meeting & Opening Ceremony: Saturday, 2nd August

• 🎯 Rounds 1–8: 2nd – 4th August

• 🏅 Award Ceremony: Monday, 4th August at 5:00 PM

• 🚐 Departures: Tuesday, 5th August

🧩 Game Format

• 🕰️ 8 rounds, FIDE Rules

• ⏳ 90 mins flat per player

• ⌛ 30 min default time

• 🏫 Players from same school won’t face off in the final round unless necessary

🏠 Accommodation

• 🛏️ On-campus full board: Ksh. 800/day

• 🏘️ Private stay allowed with amenities fee of Ksh. 500

• 👨‍🏫 Students must be accompanied by a parent or teacher of same gender

👕 Dress Code

• 🎓 School uniform is mandatory

• 👕 Homeschoolers must request special Chess Kenya T-shirt

• ❌ Players without uniform risk default loss

🏆 Prizes & Recognition

• 🥇 Top 3 per category: Trophies, Medals & Merit Certificates

• 🎖️ All participants: Certificate of Participation

• 🌍 Top 11 per category qualify for FIDE-rated playoffs (8–11 August)

• 🛫 Winners may represent Kenya at:

  • 🌍 World Youth (Albania, Oct)

  • 🌍 World Cadets (Kazakhstan, Sep)

  • 🌍 Africa Youth (Zimbabwe, Dec)

🏫 School Awards

• 🏅 Best performing Primary, Junior Secondary & Secondary (Boys/Girls)

• 📊 Based on total points from top 20 finishes

⚖️ Rules & Conduct

• 📝 Move recording is compulsory

• 📵 No electronic devices or watches allowed

• 👀 Random anti-cheating inspections

• 🚷 Spectators & players need arbiter’s permission to enter/exit play hall

• ⚠️ Strict adherence to FIDE laws

📸 Photography Policy

• 📷 By attending, you consent to photos for CKF promotion

• ✉️ Opt-out by writing to Chess Kenya before the event

⚠️ Appeals & Protests

• ⚖️ Appeals Committee formed by CKF

• 🧾 Protest fee: Ksh. 2,000 (refundable if successful)

• 🧍‍♂️ Only parent/teacher/rep can file age-related protest (fee: Ksh. 1,000)

📞 Contacts

• 📬 Saphinah Kenyando – Head of Chess in Schools: 0712 525 818

• 📬 Rodah Etole – Gender Secretary: 0725 680 043

• 📬 Andrew Owili – Vice President: 0727 880 881

• 📬 Gilbert Wandera – Treasurer: 0722 784 194

• 📬 Benard Wanjala – President: 0727 591 246

• 📬 John Mukabi – Secretary General: 0721 653 040

🔒 Note: This updated invite dated 16th July 2025 supersedes any earlier communication.