The second edition of the Eldoret Open Chess Championship, set for this weekend, has drawn a competitive lineup of players bolstered by an increased prize fund. Organizers boosted the total to Ksh116,000 with sponsorship support, promising an exciting event in Kenya's chess calendar. Notable participants include South Sudanese standout Gong Thon Gong and former national champion Ben Magana.
The Eldoret Open Chess Championship returns for its second year this weekend, attracting a robust field of competitors in what serves as the inaugural grand prix of the 2026 Chess Kenya calendar. This tournament is one of 20 events designed to help select Kenya's national team for upcoming international competitions.
The prize fund has seen a significant uplift, rising to Ksh116,000 from Ksh80,000 in the previous edition. The top open prize now stands at Ksh45,000, up from Ksh30,000, thanks to a Ksh100,000 sponsorship from local firm Trace My Car (TMC). This increase is expected to heighten the competition's intensity.
Among the highlighted entrants is Gong Thon Gong, a South Sudanese player from Mavens Chess Club, who amassed a record Ksh300,000 in winnings last year by securing victories in six grand prix events, including the Waridi Chess Festival, Mavens Open, Kisumu Open, and KCB Open. Notably, Thon did not participate in the inaugural Eldoret Open but is anticipated to elevate the stakes for the top prize this time.
Kenyan players are also in the mix, with former national champion Ben Magana returning for his second appearance after placing fourth last year. His teammate, Felix Boera, has likewise registered. The ladies' section features promising talent Elizabeth Cassidy, who claimed the African Under-14 Championships in Zimbabwe last year. This marks her first competition of 2024, as she aims to overcome her recent exclusion from the national squad bound for the 46th Chess Olympiad.
