Chess Kenya

Renowned Kenyan chess siblings, Hawi and Zuri Kaloki, have departed to represent Kenya at the World Junior Chess Championship, which is set to begin tomorrow. Hawi claimed victory in the open section, while Zuri triumphed in the girls’ section at the Kenya National Junior Chess Championship held last year. The top prize of the tournament was the opportunity to fly the Kenyan flag at the World Junior Chess Championship.

In the open section, Hawi Barry Kaloki proved his strength by overcoming tough competition to secure the title. He is also the current Under-17 Kenya National Schools Champion. At the beginning of the year, with an impressive live rating of over 2034, Hawi held the highest live rating among Kenyan players. His consistent victories and outstanding performances on both the national and international circuits have established him as a rising star with the potential to become Kenya’s top-rated player.

In the girls’ section, Zuri Kaloki, Hawi’s equally talented sibling, dominated the junior girls’ category. She clinched the Kenya National Junior Chess Championship title, defeating established players such as former Under-18 champion and Olympian Mercy Ingado.

Join Chess Kenya in wishing the Kaloki siblings all the best as they take on the World Junior Chess Championship!

Regards 
Chess Kenya

 Kenya is proudly represented by three teams in the 4th Intercontinental Chess Championship for Prisons, an online event that began today and will conclude on October 10.

The teams are competing in three categories: the Open Section, the Women’s Section, and the Youth Section, showcasing Kenya’s commitment to inclusivity in this international event.

This tournament is part of a broader initiative to use chess as a rehabilitation tool, benefiting the mental well-being and personal development of incarcerated individuals.

This effort is made possible through a partnership between Chess Kenya and The Gift of Chess, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing chess into underserved communities, including prisons.

The Kenyan teams’ participation highlights the value of chess as a transformative activity, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and social reintegration. Rodah Olisa, Gender and Special Needs Secretary, and Phyllis Ngigi, Global Outreach Director at The Gift of Chess, are 

leading the organizational efforts, alongside various prison officials. FA David Lekopien is overseeing the event as the Site Arbiter, ensuring fair play and adherence to rules.

The championship involves prisons from around the world, each with a shared goal of improving inmates’ mental health and preparing them for life post-incarceration.

Kenya’s participation aligns with the objectives of the Chess for Freedom program, which operates under the FIDE Social Commission, a global initiative that has successfully introduced chess in several Kenyan correctional facilities. 

This program aims to enhance prisoners’ cognitive skills, encourage positive mental engagement, and foster a sense of community through chess.

By participating in this championship, Kenya continues to demonstrate its dedication to using chess as a means of rehabilitation, underscoring the social and rehabilitative potential of the game for inmates and promoting a culture of constructive change within its prison system.

As Africa Games kick off in Accra Ghana, Robert Macligeyo and Sasha Mongeli carry our national flag. From March 8th to 23rd, they'll be showcasing their strategic skills on the chessboard at Alisa Hotel alongside 22 other federations. Join us in wishing them the best as they embark on this prestigious journey!