The biggest chess tournament in Africa – this April with 7000+ players

The 2025 Kenya National Schools Chess Championship happened 4-8 April 2025 at the Mangu High School. A record total of 7,242 players from 880 schools took part in the event, making it the biggest chess tournament in Africa! With that mark Kenya surpasses the expected 6000 players at the Supernationals

Last year’s participation was 3000 players, and in 2025 it more than doubled. The Kenya School Championship was divided in U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17 sections, with the winners eligible to participate in the 2025 African Schools Chess Championship with all expenses catered for by Chess Kenya. The 2025 African Schools Chess Championship will take place at the Pride Inn Paradise Resort and Spa in the coastal town of Mombasa, Kenya, from 22nd to 29th May 2025. More information on this in the upcoming editions of the Chessdom Newsletter – it is FREE and you can sign up with your email below

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Photo: Kim Bhari

More large events: Grenke with 3000+ players / Bengaluru Open with 2200+ players / Supernationals with 6000 players

A total of approximately 15,000 players around the country took part in the regional competitions, reports kenyachessmasala.com. “The low qualification mark of two points set by Chess Kenya elicited strong reactions on various social media platforms.  Some insisted that Chess Kenya was right to spread the game amongst the masses, while others felt the qualification bar was way too low.  Some age sections have over a thousand players, and the nine-round event was not enough to get a clear winner.  Others felt the finals should have a selected number of players or the best from each region.”