KCB CHESS OPEN 2025

OPEN & LADIES’ SECTION (15 CATEGORIES TOTAL): 17^TH – 20^TH OCTOBER 2025

JUNIOR SECTION (12 CATEGORIES TOTAL): 18^TH & 19^TH OCTOBER 2025

KCB Chess Club in collaboration with Chess Kenya Federation, cordially invites all chess players to participate in the KCB Chess Open 2025, at KCB Leadership Centre, Karen, Nairobi. This is the Grand Prix event in Kenya with most prizes, including 100,000Ksh as top prize in both the Open and the Ladies Categories. With a record of 15 category prizes, it is ensured that chess players of different skill levels are tangibly appreciated for their efforts!

SCHEDULE

1. OPEN & LADIES’ SECTION (FIDE-rated)

2. JUNIORS SECTION (Classical, FIDE-rated)

3. CATEGORIES IN OPEN EVENT (330,000Ksh cash to be won)
   • Open section (4 prizes, 190,000Ksh prize pool)
   • Open U2000 section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • Open U1800 section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • PWD male section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • University male section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • Senior section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • Junior section (1 prize, 10,000Ksh prize pool)
   • KCB player section (2 prizes, 30,000Ksh prize pool)

4. CATEGORIES IN LADIES EVENT (310,000Ksh cash to be won)
   • Ladies section (4 prizes, 190,000Ksh prize pool)
   • Ladies U1700 section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • Ladies U1500 section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • PWD ladies section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • University ladies section (2 prizes, 20,000Ksh prize pool)
   • Junior section (1 prize, 10,000Ksh prize pool)
   • KCB player section (2 prizes, 30,000Ksh prize pool)

5. CATEGORIES IN JUNIOR EVENT (equivalent of 200,000Ksh to be won)
   • U18B & U18G (shopping vouchers, trophies & gift hampers)
   • U16B & U16G (shopping vouchers, trophies & gift hampers)
   • U14B & U14G (shopping vouchers, trophies & gift hampers)
   • U12B & U12G (shopping vouchers, trophies & gift hampers)
   • U10B & U10G (shopping vouchers, trophies & gift hampers)
   • U8B & U8G (shopping vouchers, trophies & gift hampers) 

6. REGISTRATION & ENTRY FEES
   • Ordinary fee – 2,000Ksh
   • Corporate fee – 4,000Ksh
   • Junior fee – 1,500Ksh
   • FREE ENTRY – for PWDs / IMs / WIMs / GMs / WGMs 

7. PAYMENT METHOD / REGISTRATION LINK

Local participants

A participant should PAY using one of the two below methods, and then REGISTER.

Registration DEADLINE is 15^th October 2025. Late registrants aren’t guaranteed entry into the event, as the organizer reserves right of admission.

• Via MPESA Paybill
  1. Paybill Number 522533
  2. Account Number 8810688
• Via deposit to KCB Chess Account
  1. Account Number 1342732944
  2. KCB Bank Kenya Ltd, Moi Avenue Branch

• Swift Code – KCBLKENX

• Registration link: https://forms.gle/82v3nNL229tvTarL6

International participants

For players outside Kenya who wish to participate, the entry fee is the equivalent of 30USD, payable at venue. Please send your registration details to [email protected] (Cc. [email protected] ) by 15^th October 2025.

8. TOURNAMENT RULES & REGULATIONS

This is a FIDE-rated tournament. Thus, all FIDE rules and regulations shall be in force for the duration of the event.

8.1 Default walkover time

• All rounds will have a standard walkover time of 45 minutes (OPEN & LADIES SECTIONS), and a walkover time of 30 minutes (JUNIOR SECTION).
• The walkover time will be counted from the moment the Chief Arbiter announces the start of the round.
• The Chief Arbiter will also announce when the default time has elapsed.

8.2 Draw conditions

• Players are not allowed to agree to a draw before Black has completed their 30^th
• This restriction only applies to draws by mutual agreement.
• Draws resulting from threefold repetition (Article 9.2) or fivefold repetition (Article 9.6) of the position, as per FIDE Laws of Chess, are allowed at any time.

8.3 Electronic devices

• Players are strictly prohibited from using electronic devices (phones, smartwatches, tablets, etc.) in the playing hall during their games.
• All electronic devices must be submitted to the Chief Arbiter before the start of the round.
• Penalty: A player found in possession of any electronic device (switched on or off) during a game will immediately lose the game.
• Additional disciplinary action, including removal from the tournament, may be recommended by the Appeals Committee under FIDE Anti-Cheating regulations. 

8.4 Pairings, Scoring & Tie-Breaks

The tournament will use the Swiss System for all sections.

Scoring

• Win = 1 point
• Draw = 0.5 points
• Loss = 0 points

Preferred tie-break order of application

• Direct encounter
• Buccholz tie-break (with one lowest score cut)
• Number of wins (including forfeits & byes)
• Buccholz tie-break (no cut)
• Sonneborn-Berger

Players who miss TWO rounds without notifying the Chief Arbiter will automatically be withdrawn from the tournament.

8.5 Recording Sheets

• The scoresheet is the property of the tournament organizers. A carbon copy will be provided to the players.
• Upon completion of a game, both players must sign the scoresheets and hand the originals over to the arbiter. 

8.6 Playing Area Regulations

• Access to the playing area is restricted and allowed only with permission from the arbiters.
• Players may only leave the playing area with the arbiter’s permission. Unauthorized absence may attract penalties under FIDE Articles 11 and 12.
• No player may communicate (inside or outside the playing hall) with other players or spectators while their game is ongoing.
• Violation of this rule may result in penalties under the FIDE Anti-Cheating regulations.
• Once a player has completed their game and the result has been recorded:
• They may be allowed a short grace period to observe other games with arbiter approval.
• When asked to leave by an arbiter, they must exit the playing hall immediately.
• Players must not leave their board before submitting the result to the arbiter.
• An analysis area will be available; boards can be provided upon request to the Chief Arbiter.

8.7 Appeal Procedure

An Appeals Committee will be formed and announced before the start of Round 1.

• To lodge an appeal, a player must:
• Submit their appeal to the Chief Arbiter within 15 minutes after the game ends.
• Pay an appeal fee of KES 2,000, which is refundable if the appeal is successful.
• Appeals cannot be made for games in which the player has already signed the score sheet.

PS: The tournament organizers reserve the right to amend the rules and regulations. Any such amendments will be communicated in a clear and timely manner. 

ORAGNIZERS’ CONTACT

For any inquiries or further assistance, please feel free to reach out to the tournament officials below: 

Tournament Director

CM / FI Benjamin Magana

Email: [email protected]

Phone (Call / Text / Whatsapp): +254-722-619-441

Chief Arbiter

IA Duke King’oina Michieka

Phone (Call / Text / Whatsapp): +254-720-475-116