Chess Kenya was formed September 1976. This was at the peak of World chess politics between Israel and Libya. Its the same year two Olympiad were staged, one in Haifa, Israel and other counter Olympiad in Libya from 24th October to 15th November 1976. Most Africa countries attended Libya one as Libya Government under Late Col Gaddaffi paid all travel expenses, accommodation and each participant $8 per day(alot of money those days). Kenya was among the African countries that attended its first Olympiad in 1976 in Libya. Kenya team at Counter Olympiad 1976 was composed of Saif Kanani, Ramesh Sharma, Willie Sekano, Nazir Lone, Aslam Adam, Abdul Tejpar, Aslam Adam. The team finished 16th out of 34 nations that participated.
Kenya went on to host three Continental event, mainly Africa junior Chess Championship in 1987 1991and 1997. Kenya came back in a bang in 2017 hosting Zone 4.2 under 16 team Championship 2017 and Africa Youth Chess Championship 2018.
The association (formerly Kenya Chess Association) since it was formed in September 1976 has been steered by the following;
| # | Years | Chairman |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1976-1979 | Mr. Sikanda |
| 2 | 1979-1989 | Madan Gopal Sharma |
| 3 | 1989-1993 | Clement Miheso |
| 4 | 1993-1996 | Tom Sagwe (deceased) |
| 5 | 1996-1999 | Francis Rodriguez |
| 6 | 1999-2003 | Lincoln Njenga |
| 7 | 2003-2008 | Stanley Luruti |
| 8 | 2008-2012 | Bernard Andolo Ambasi (deceased) |
| 9 | 2012-2013 | Interim Committee of Kenya Chess (ICKC) |
| 10 | 2013-2017 | Githinji Hinga |
| 11 | 2017- | Benard Wanjala |
TRIBUTE TO A FIRST KENYAN PRODIGY KARANJA KANGUGI
Mr. Karanja took the Chess world by storm putting Kenya on world map from the year 1984. He held a Kenyan citizens but stayed in New York , USA. He was the first Black chess prodigy who was believed to have become not only the first African Grandmaster but a world Champion challenger. He also played basketball in the black world of Harlem.
When he was 10, Karanja achieved a lot winning top US tournaments. He won National Elementary Championship in 1985, contributed to his ranking as the top under- 14 chess player in the U.S.
The news reached statehouse, Nairobi Kenya with distorted content that a Kenyan in the name Karanja is a world Chess Champion. Former President Moi order Ministry of foreign affairs to organise his grand return, all expenses paid by Government . He returned to Nairobi and was invited to statehouse to demonstrate his chess wizardry.
KK first world appearance was under- 14 World Championship in Puerto Rico in 1986 which he finished 4th overal. This was the best any Africa player and still stands today. His game with Sophia Polgar in last round haunted him so much as he fall to a simple trap in a clearly won game that would have seen him win the tournament.
KK later returned to Kenya and promoted Chess. He played a simultaneous with members of Nairobi Chess Club.
FIRST VISIT OF FIDE PRESIDENT TO KENYA
MR. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the FIDE President visited Kenya in 1988 and had the privilege of meeting the head of state, by then His Excellence Toroitich Arap Moi at statehouse, Nairobi. The historic photo was displayed in statehouse photo gallery.
AFRICA CHESS UNION
ACU was formed was formed in 1976 by African federations that took part in Olympiad October 1976 in Tripoli, Libya. This was push to have united Africa to push Chess agenda in the continent.
Belkadi Ridha (Tunisia) was appointed Vice President of FIDE to represent and presided over the African Continent since no statutes were in place.
African Chess Confederation Presidents
The following is a summary of the presidents of the African Chess Confederation (ACC), formerly known as the African Chess Union (ACU), since its inception:
| President | Country | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Belkadi Ridha | Tunisia | 1978-1990 |
| Emmanuel Omuku | Nigeria | 1990-1994 |
| Lakhdar Mazouz | Algeria | 1994-2002, 2010-2014 |
| Nizzar Elhadj | Libya | 2002-2006 |
| Buthali Dalibani | Botswana | 2006-2010 |
| Lewis Ncube | Zambia | 2014 - 2022 |
| Lopang Tshepiso | Botswana | Since 2022 |
Statutes
The first statutes of the Continent (Africa Chess Union -ACU) were adopted in Agadir (Morocco) in 1999. They were modified in Tallin (Estonia) in 2013 and was called since Africa Chess Confederation (ACC)
Kenya has been in forefront in politics of ACC. The first Kenyan to ran for ACC President post was Lincoln Njenga Ngarua who stepped down to support candidature of Lewis Ncube in Bled, Slovenia, 2002 but El Nizar El Haj(Libya) won narrowly.
The late Eng Ambasi was appointed Zone 4.2 until his death. Benard Wanjala currently serving as vice President.