An eight-year-old chess player from Gilgil Hills Academy will lead the Kenyan team to the inaugural Commonwealth Schools Chess Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 4 to 12.

The young chess prodigy, who is the national and African champion, will be part of a 10-member team of learners aged below 13 years, all drawn from the same school, representing Kenya at the international competition.

The championship, organised by the Malaysian Chess Federation on behalf of the Commonwealth Chess Association and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is the first of its kind and brings together junior and youth players.

Nakuru County Chief Officer for Disaster Management Joyce Ncece (left) flags off 10 learners from Gilgil Hills Academy who will represent Kenya at the inaugural Commonwealth Schools Chess Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 4 to 12. Photo by Erastus Gichohi.

Eight-year-old Jayne Awuor, who won the Under-9 girls’ title at this year’s Kenya Under-17 National Chess Championship, said she was ready and excited to represent the country.

“I am ready to represent Kenya and do my best in the competition,” Awuor said, adding that she had sharpened her skills through competitions over the past two years.

The young player said she hoped to continue improving and eventually earn the coveted grandmaster title.

Her father and school chess coach, Vitalis Otieno, said parents had an important role to play in supporting children to participate in sports and identifying their talents at an early age.

Otieno commended the school administration for supporting different sporting activities, particularly chess, saying the support had enabled his daughter to participate in numerous competitions.

He said he was prepared to lead the delegation and support the learners as they compete against other young chess players in Malaysia.

Gilgil Hills Academy Principal Joseph Kihato said the 10 learners, aged between eight and 13 years, were scheduled to leave for Malaysia this weekend to showcase their skills on the international stage.

Kihato said the school had invested in sports, particularly chess, because the game helps learners develop critical thinking, discipline and patience from an early age.

He said the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) called for a balance between classroom learning and co-curricular activities such as sports.

“Chess helps learners develop critical thinking, discipline and patience, which are important skills both in school and beyond,” Kihato said.

Nakuru County Chief Officer for Disaster Management Joyce Ncece said the county government had supported the development of education and sports in schools.

She congratulated the learners for qualifying to represent Kenya and wished them success in the championship.

Ncece said sports played an important role in keeping young people engaged in productive activities and could help steer them away from illicit drugs and other social vices.

by Erastus Gichohi