Between the 4th and 8th of April 2025, 5 students from the Ol Jogi School went to the Kenyan National Chess Championships held at the Mang’u High School in Nairobi. The tournament was played in categories from U7-U17, with some of the categories exceeding 1000 players.
For Dorcas, Peter, Raymond, Stephen and William it was the first national tournament after having being introduced to chess not even a year before. Out of 9 games, William scored 6 points in the U15, Raymond also 6 points in the U11, Peter 5 points in the U13, Stephen 4.5 points in the U15 and Dorcas 4 in the U15 female category.
Below you will be able to read about their personal experience and two interviews with the accompanying teachers, Madam Halima and Mr Ambrose.
Mr Ambrose Lonuko
What were your favourite moments?
The national chess competition at Mang’u High School was rich with experiences, but three moments stand out vividly:
a) The Opening Ceremony at the Mwai Kibaki Amphitheatre:
It was inspiring to witness such a grand and well-organized launch of the tournament. Seeing hundreds of young minds gathered for a shared passion was a powerful reminder of the impact chess has across the country.
b) The Moment William and Raymond Qualified for Internationals:
Realising that two of our students had scored 6 points each and secured spots in the international tournament was a proud and emotional milestone.Their dedication and growth were truly evident.
c) The Resilience Displayed After Setbacks:
I vividly remember Dorcas losing three straight games on Day 2, yet she remained composed and respectful. Her ability to handle defeat with grace just stood out as a teaching moment for everyone present.I comforted her and she took it positively.
What was the atmosphere like at the national championship?
The atmosphere was both competitive and friendly. While everyone came to win, there was also a strong spirit of community among players and coaches. Mang’u High provided an impressive organized, secure and conducive environment to focused play. Though we experienced a few logistical hiccups on the first day, things quickly improved and the energy remained upbeat throughout the event.
How did you witness the mentality of the students?
Our students showed genuine excitement and motivation.As you know, it was their first time competing at Nationals level and at such a large stage,as it was at Mwai kibaki. Victories were celebrated with pride and defeats were met with reflection rather than frustration.
I was especially impressed by how we all supported one another.Especially ffter losses, we often rallied together for encouragement which helped boost their morale. The ability to bounce back after setback like Akweny and Stephen did showed maturity beyond their years.
What were the lessons learned?
This experience was incredibly enriching. Key lesson learned was:
a) Preparation and adaptability are equally important. Even the best-prepared players had to adjust to surprises from missing rooms to unexpected playing styles.
b) Mental strength is vital. Many games were lost not due to lack of skill but due to shaken confidence after an early blunder.
c) On documentation and record keeping should be more emphasized to our students.While most players recorded their games,but failed to keep their them.Score sheet is also as important as the game. It’s an area that we will keep more emphasis on
How do you see the future of chess at Ol Jogi?
The future is very promising. With two students qualifying for the international stage and others coming close, the bar has been raised. The nationals served not only as a competition but as a vision setting experience for our players.
I believe our school is on the track on becoming a respected chess powerhouse in future National and International events.
f.l.t.r: Raymond, Dorcas, Stephen, William and Peter in front of the first airliner of their lives
Madam Halima Hussein
What were your favourite moments?
a) I was very lucky to have attended the National Chess tournament. The school was very big so when it was time to gather the students, you had to walk for a very long time before you find all them, but it was fun.
b) After every match we would gather with the students and take about their match and share their experiences.
c) Talking to other teachers about the Chess Club in their schools. This also fostered a sense of unity and friendship among the teachers.
What were your lessons learnt?
a) Most of the Schools there, or even individual students were from a petty high class society/ community so it was inspiring to see our students from humble backgrounds be at the same level as them in terms of performance. It showed them how far they could go despite everything.
b) In chess each move has consequences and players must learn to assess the potential outcomes of their actions. ” Failures are your Biggest Teachers ‘.
How was the atmosphere at Mangu High School?
I thought it would be tense, as it was competition and you didn’t know who was going to be your opponent, but it was pretty much relaxed except for when they entered their respective rooms for the match.
How did you perceive effect on the students?
They were very amazed to see so many schools from different parts of the country. It also provided a platform for individuals to express thoughtfulness and celebrate their unique abilities in front of their peers. In terms of dealing with defeat, they accepted it quite easily and motivated each other to do better in their match.
Stephen Lukas in action
Stephen Lukas
At the beginning of April I went to the National Individual Chess Championship (NICC) at Mang’u high school. This experience was nice because everybody was feeling good, because the day for which we were waiting for has come.
We left Ol Jogi on the 4th of April. I was very excited to go to Nairobi for the first time in my life. Then we got on the bus and when we reached at the gate there was a computer, which was scanning someone’s face. Then, if your face was added to the computer, it says ‘THANK YOU;’ if not it says IDENTIFICATION FAILED! When it scanned our face it said THANK YOU. Then we went back to the bus and we continued with our journey.
When we reached Nanyuki we went to the stage and booked a van and then we went to a hotel to have breakfast so we would not feel hungry when travelling. After having breakfast, we went to the stage and got inside the van and continued with the journey. We went through other counties like: Nyeri, Murang’a, Karatina and Thika.
When we reached Mang’u, Mr Ambrose and Md Halima entered the registration block to look for our names. We stayed like three hours waiting for them to come back. Then, when they came back, Mr Ambrose went with boys to show us where we would be sleeping for the 4 days remaining. Md Halima went with Dorcas also. There was nice beds and it was double decker.
On the second day there was a opening ceremony.After the oponing ceremony we started the games and Md Halima and Mr Ambrose were Encouraging us when we went to play the rounds for the day. On the third day we played the 4th, 5th and the 6th round.
On the third day I won two so I had 2.5 points on the third day. On the fourth day we played the 7th, 8th and the 9th round. Those were the last rounds of the tournament. On the fourth day I won only one game, as you can check on the table below:
| #round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| points | 0 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
I was very sad after losing the first round but I gave myself hopes to win the second round and other remaining games. After finishing all rounds my total was four and half. On the last day there was a closing ceremony where people were given rewards (position 1, 2, and 3). After the closing ceremony we went and have supper. Then after finishing our food, we went to sleep, exhausted from the tournament.
I was not happy at all because I was not proceeding to Mombasa. However, I learnt something: I need to think before I play.
William in action
William Lethokon
Before departing for Nairobi, Stephen and I went to Madam Halima’s house. She had finished arranging her things, and we helped her carry the suitcase to the bus stop. When the bus came, we started the journey to Nanyuki. When we arrived in Nanyuki, Madam Halima took us to the hotel.
We drank a cup of tea and ate chapati. Then we got into the matatu and started the journey to Mang’u. When we arrived in Mang’u, we took a walk around the school. Madam Halima and Mr. Ambrose went to be given a place to sleep. They also gave us a resident player card. After that, Mr. Ambrose took us to the under-15 dormitory. After we were shown a place to sleep, we were told to go and take supper.
When we finished eating, Mr. Ambrose and Madam Halima showed us where we could come after every game and after lunch and supper. We went to sleep. On the first day, we woke up at 6:00 am and were told everyone should go and take breakfast. After the opening ceremony, we were told to go where we were supposed to be playing.
In my first game, I went to where I was supposed to be, but my opponent was not there. I stayed there for a long time. Everyone had finished their game. Mr. Ambrose told me, “Just be patient, your opponent will come.” But I told the arbiter that I had stayed there for a long time. Then the arbiter gave me the point. That was the game that had problems.
In my second game, I was beaten. Mr. Ambrose told me, “Don’t be sad, because more games are ahead of you.” My third, fourth, fifth, and sixth games—I won all. I was very happy. Madam Halima and Mr. Ambrose congratulated me.
The seventh game, I was beaten. I did not feel good for losing that game. The eighth game, I won, and I was happy. The ninth game, I lost. When we finished round nine, we went to have lunch. After lunch, we went to the closing ceremony. The KCP said that if you had six points, you would go to the international competition in Mombasa. I was very happy about that. All the games that I lost, I was using black.
f.l.t.r.: Stephen, Peter, Willi and Raymond
Raymond
This last tournament, we went to Mangu High School. We went to stay 3 days, and we played 9 rounds. It was very fun over there. We went 5 students and 2 teachers: Mr. Ambrose and Madam Halima.
The first day, Mr. Ambrose went to register us because if you weren’t registered, you would not eat, sleep, or play. We even got meal cards.
The first day, we went to take supper and slept. We slept — me and William and Stephen and Peter. We woke up early and went to bathe, and went to take breakfast, and then we went to look for Mr. Ambrose. Mr. Ambrose told me to go to the hall, and when I went to the hall, I was very scared because there were many people in the hall. I thought I would play with all of them. Mr. Ambrose said, “You will play with only 9 of them.”
The first game, the opponent was not there, and the second I won, but the third one I lost. On the second day, I lost the first one, the second, and the third I won. On the third day, I won all of them, and I was very lucky that day. But the first one, it was not counted.
But at least I had 6 out of 9, so I lost 3. But the first one, Mr. Ambrose said he will ask. Mr. Ambrose said the ones who only had 6 points are the ones who will go to Mombasa.
And me and William had 6, so we knew we were going to go. And Madam Halima was very proud of us.
Alexander Feil 