Juniors set for battle at Kings and Queens Academy chess tournament

Trina Kourtney making her chess moves during training at the Kings and Queens Academy on January 30, 2025. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

All eyes will be on the Kings and Queens Academy chess tournament this Saturday as young chess prodigies prepare to showcase their skills in a high-stakes contest.

National Chess Instructor Isaac Ondeng, who is overseeing the tournament, emphasized its significance as a curtain-raiser for the Kisumu County Regional Chess Tournament slated for February 23.

Ondeng highlighted the event as a crucial platform to fine-tune players ahead of the regional showdown.

"I want to groom and polish the kids ahead of the regional contest. Tournaments are learning avenues, hence this tournament is a litmus test for testing out our strength so that we right our wrongs ahead of the regional contest," Ondeng stated.

Kings and Queens Academy has established itself as a powerhouse in Kisumu's chess scene, having produced top players and even sponsored young talents to prestigious events such as the Africa Games.

With such a strong pedigree, the upcoming tournament promises to be an intense and entertaining affair.

The event will be run under the watchful eyes of Ondeng, assisted by his deputy coach David Praise. Jeff Otieno will serve as the chief arbiter, ensuring fair play throughout the competition.

With some of the best junior chess players set to battle for supremacy, the Kings and Queens Academy tournament is expected to deliver thrilling moments and invaluable learning experiences ahead of the bigger regional stage.

Tesley Hannington, Mike Terry, Kael Peace, Dohnwilson Hawi and Ericka Adriel are some of the junior chess masters to watch.