Chess is steadily emerging as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing mind sports, attracting thousands of young players and inspiring renewed interest across generations.
As participation continues to increase, stakeholders are calling for greater financial support to sustain the momentum and help Kenya strengthen its presence in regional and international competitions.
The Nairobi Chess Club marked International Chess Day with a Rapid Chess Tournament at the Goan Gymkhana Sports Club in Ngara, bringing together players of different ages and skill levels.
The event featured local competition alongside an international exhibition, highlighting the sport’s expanding popularity while underscoring the challenges clubs face in developing talent.
Children as young as 10 competed alongside experienced adult players, demonstrating that age is no limitation in the game of chess.
Top performers earned an opportunity to participate in a simultaneous exhibition match against Russian Grandmaster Yuri, who played several games at the same time in a contest that attracted spectators at the venue and online.
Speaking during the tournament, Nairobi Chess Club Chairlady Nisha Bhavsar encouraged more Kenyans to take up the game, describing it as a sport that builds patience, discipline and strategic thinking.
“We encourage anyone interested in chess to start now. It is a game of patience, discipline and strategy that teaches valuable life skills,” she said.
Bhavsar said the club has continued to register steady growth in membership through regular tournaments and structured training programmes.
However, she noted that limited sponsorship remains a major challenge affecting the club’s ability to organize more competitions and support youth development initiatives.
“One of our biggest challenges is attracting enough sponsors to finance tournaments and youth development programmes. More partnerships would help us nurture emerging talent,” she said.
The tournament also highlighted the growing competitiveness of Kenya’s young chess players, many of whom are increasingly matching experienced players in local competitions.
The event also featured an international online fixture in which Kenyan players competed against a Russian opponent while playing from the Goan Gymkhana venue, reflecting the increasing use of technology to connect players across borders.
Young participants at the tournament attributed their progress to consistent practice and regular participation in competitions.
One junior player who sought anonymity said he developed an interest in chess after being introduced to the game by his father and gradually improved through continuous training.
He said every tournament provides an opportunity to learn regardless of the outcome.
“I have played in several tournaments. Some I have won and others I have lost, but every game teaches me something new,” he said.
The player encouraged aspiring chess enthusiasts to make use of online learning platforms, particularly chess puzzles, to sharpen tactical skills and improve their understanding of the game.
He added that daily practice has played a key role in his development and urged fellow young players to remain committed to continuous improvement.
According to Nairobi Chess Club Treasurer Kim Bhari, chess has experienced significant growth in Kenya over the last decade.
He cited the recent Kenya National Youth Chess Championship, which attracted about 8,000 participants from across the country, as an indication of the sport’s expanding reach.
“The Nairobi Chess Club has a history of more than a century and currently has about 80 members. We continue to organize weekly activities and four major tournaments annually,” Bhari said.
He added that the club has produced several national champions, including three-time Kenya champion Mehul Gohil, and continues to contribute to the development of elite players.
Despite the progress, Bhari said the high cost of hiring venues remains one of the club’s greatest challenges.
“Everything is commercial, so you’ve got to pay market rates for rent. That’s our biggest challenge. In many other countries, communities have social halls that clubs can rent at affordable rates, but here that’s often not the case,” he said.
Bhari appealed to both government and the private sector to support local tournaments, youth development programmes and Kenya’s participation in continental and global competitions, including the African Club Championship and the World Club Championship.
He also encouraged parents to introduce children to chess at an early age, saying the game enhances concentration, decision-making, problem-solving skills and mental well-being.
“You can play chess from the age of six to the age of 90. There’s nothing to stop you,” he said.
The tournament received support from the Path to Russia NGO, whose partnership facilitated the staging of the event.
Assistant Project Manager and Coordinator Caroline Mweni said the organisation considers chess an effective educational tool that nurtures discipline, critical thinking and strategic decision-making among young people.
“We believe chess is an effective tool for empowering young people. We hope more organizations will join in supporting these initiatives so that Kenyan youth can compete globally,” she said.
Mweni said the tournament adopted a hybrid format combining over-the-board (OTB) and online competition to widen participation and expose young players to stronger opponents from different locations.
She explained that the competition was conducted using the Swiss system, enabling participants to play multiple rounds against opponents with similar performance levels.
Mweni added that the tournament also featured an online simultaneous exhibition in which a grandmaster played against the top five junior players to give them valuable competitive experience.
She noted that integrating physical and online competition enhances inclusivity while creating additional learning opportunities for young players.
Organisers also announced plans to introduce school-based chess leagues in Nairobi next year to expand access to the sport and identify promising talent at the grassroots.
As chess continues to grow across Kenya, stakeholders say stronger collaboration among clubs, schools, sponsors and government institutions will be crucial in supporting player development and strengthening the country’s competitiveness internationally.
With increasing youth participation and expanding opportunities for international exposure, chess is steadily becoming an important platform for nurturing discipline, analytical thinking and future Kenyan champions.
By Aron Kinyamasyo
