The Eldoret Open Chess Championship kicked off on Saturday at St. Luke’s Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, with several surprises in the first round. Unrated player Elly Cheruiyot stunned top-seeded Kaloki Hawi, marking the tournament's biggest upset. Multiple walkovers and strong performances in the ladies' section highlighted the event's early action.
The Eldoret Open Chess Championship, the first senior event on the Chess Kenya calendar for 2026, began on February 7 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Eldoret. This Grand Prix tournament serves as a key qualifier for selecting the Kenyan team for upcoming international competitions and is now in its second year, with the prize fund increased from Ksh80,000 last year to Ksh160,000 this year.
In the opening round, unrated Elly Cheruiyot, with a provisional rating of 1748, delivered the shock of the day by defeating Kaloki Hawi, Kenya's highest-rated player at 2173. The rating gap of over 400 points made this a highly unexpected result on what appeared to be a lopsided board.
Another upset unfolded on board 11, where two-time national champion Mehul Gohil (1951) faced a stern challenge from lesser-known Terence Muhambe (1693). Gohil, returning after a break, was anticipated to win comfortably but encountered resistance.
The round also saw several walkovers due to late arrivals. Veteran coach Tom Amwai secured an easy victory when Madol Garang failed to appear, while favorite Gon Thon did not show for his match against Joseph Gathogo. In the open section, KCB Open ladies champion Bella Nashipae, the sole female entrant, defeated Darien Kigen.
The ladies' section produced competitive results after two rounds. Former national champion Joyce Nyaruai leads with two points, having beaten Mutwol Cheryl in round one and teammate Gloria Jumba in round two. Shalom Jepkosgei also has two points, followed by Shukri Shakira and African under-14 champion Elizabeth Cassidy, both on 1.5 points.
Meanwhile, the KCB Chess Team, bolstered by new signings and veterans, arrived in Eldoret aiming to dominate against over 200 regional rivals in this high-stakes Grand Prix.