Sizzling Nyola reigns in Eldoret Chess Open

Equity Bank’s Mark Nyola triumphed at the 2025 Eldoret Chess Open, securing first place in a highly competitive field. Teammate Jully Mutisya achieved a commendable second place in the Ladies’ Category, while Gabriel Mwangi also secured a podium finish, taking third place in the Open Category.
Ugandan national Nyola maintained a perfect record, winning all six of his matches, including a decisive victory against former National Champion Joseph Methu. Mwangi tied for third place alongside Wech Adol Chol of South Sudan and Kaloki Hawi of KCB in a tournament that attracted over 300 regional participants.
Nyola’s victory against rising star Kaloki Hawi was a tournament highlight. In a tense match, Nyola’s precise end-game strategy proved decisive, securing a crucial point that solidified his lead. In the Ladies’ Category, Mutisya delivered a strong performance, ultimately securing second position despite a close loss to Elizabeth Cassidy.
Coach Moses Andiowh, the reigning Chess Coach of the Year, acknowledged the stiff competition, describing the Eldoret Open as a “grand prix event” and a valuable learning opportunity for the team.
“The competition has been great overall and it makes us better players. I commend the organizers for this event which sharpens the players.”
Equity Sports Coordinator Nick Ongeri expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting the high level of competition and the team’s commitment to maintaining their winning streak from the previous year.
Team Captain Njagi Kabugu echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the tournament’s importance as a benchmark for the upcoming season and reaffirming the team’s goal of continued dominance in the Interbank and National League competitions. “We anticipate a good season ahead so it is about prepping and upgrading. Such a tournament will definitely improve the standards of the game.”
Other great performances came from Joseph Murage and Ian Mutuge from KCB Chess Club. The duo gave a good account of themselves finishing on a high of 1963 and 1959 ranking points respective