Chess Gains Ground Among Kenya’s Youth as Clubs Call for Greater SupportChess 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 rise, stakeholders are calling for increased financial support to sustain the momentum and unlock the country’s growing potential on the international stage.
The Nairobi Chess Club marked International Chess Day with a vibrant Rapid Chess Tournament at the Goan Gymkhana Sports Club in Ngara, bringing together players of all ages and skill levels. The event, which featured both local competition and an international exhibition, showcased not only the sport’s growing popularity but also the challenges clubs face in nurturing talent.
Children as young as 10 competed alongside experienced adult players, demonstrating that in chess, age is no barrier to excellence. The tournament’s top performers earned the opportunity to take part in a simultaneous exhibition match against Russian Grandmaster Yuri, with several games played at once in a fast-paced contest that captivated spectators both at the venue and online.
Speaking during the tournament, Nairobi Chess Club Chairlady Nisha Bhavsar encouraged more Kenyans to embrace the game.
“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 noted that the club has experienced steady growth in membership, driven by regular tournaments and structured training programmes. However, she emphasized that inadequate sponsorship continues to limit the club’s ability to organize more competitions and invest in youth development.
“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 highlighted the remarkable strength of Kenya’s young chess players, many of whom are increasingly competing on equal footing with seasoned veterans.
One club member observed that junior players have become so competitive that many adults approach matches against them with caution.
“Sometimes you’re afraid to play the kids because they’re so good at chess,” he said.
The event also featured an international online fixture where Kenyan players competed against a Russian opponent while playing from the Goan Gymkhana venue, underscoring the growing global connections being established through the sport.
According to Nairobi Chess Club Treasurer Kim Bahari, chess has undergone remarkable expansion in Kenya over the past decade.
He pointed to the recent Kenya National Youth Chess Championship, which attracted approximately 8,000 participants from across the country, as evidence of the sport’s rapid growth.
“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,” Bahari said.
He added that the club has produced several national champions, including three-time Kenya champion Mehul Gohil, and continues to play an important role in developing elite players.
Despite these successes, Bahari said the high cost of hiring venues remains one of the club’s biggest obstacles.
“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 urged both the government and private sector to increase investment in chess by supporting local tournaments, youth programmes, and Kenya’s participation in continental and global competitions such as the African Club Championship and the World Club Championship.
Bahari also encouraged parents to introduce their children to chess at an early age, noting that the game sharpens concentration, strengthens decision-making skills, improves problem-solving abilities, and promotes mental well-being.
Unlike many physically demanding sports, he said, chess is a lifelong activity.
“You can play chess from the age of six to the age of 90. There’s nothing to stop you.”
The tournament received support from the Path to Russia NGO, whose partnership enabled the successful staging of the event.
Assistant Project Manager and Coordinator Caroline Mweni said the organization views chess as a powerful educational tool that equips young people with discipline, critical thinking, and strategic decision-making skills.
“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.
Organizers also announced plans to launch school-based chess leagues in Nairobi next year, a move aimed at expanding access to the game and identifying talented players from the grassroots level.
As chess continues to gain momentum across Kenya, stakeholders believe stronger collaboration among clubs, schools, sponsors, and government institutions will be essential in transforming the country into one of Africa’s leading chess nations.
With thousands of young players embracing the game and increasing opportunities for international competition, chess is no longer viewed as an elite pastime. Instead, it is rapidly becoming a powerful platform for nurturing discipline, strategic thinking, and the next generation of Kenyan champions.