Chess Kenya ( CK ) has announced that it will participate in the 2026 Intellect Academy Cup in Russia, a Fédération Internationale des Échecs (International Chess Federation) FIDE rating global showdown event for the second year in a row that is scheduled for February 16-22, 2026.
Communicating on Saturday via its official social media platform, the federation said that a team of five young players will depart the country to represent the country at the Intellect Academy Cup in Novokuznetsk, Kuzbass, Russia, for the second consecutive year.
"The 2026 edition of the tournament will take place from 16th to 22nd February 2026," read part of the statement
The five youngsters to carry Kenya's flag while in Russia are the trio from Elite Academy led by Floyd Wesonga (2013), Dylan Wema (2014), and Amini Muhani (2018).
The other two are led by Jadarudo Achieng (2015), the Winner of the Private Schools Championship, and Ryan Mutinda (2017) from KNYCCC, a Finalist (Age Category Wildcard).
"The festival’s main event is a FIDE-rated youth team competition, an exciting and innovative tournament under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF)," the statement continued.
The competition features a unique age-restricted team format of five players. In addition to the main event, the festival will include FIDE-rated Rapid and Blitz tournaments, Bughouse competitions, puzzle-solving contests, as well as a rich cultural and entertainment program, receptions, and other side activities.
The festival aims to demonstrate that chess remains a universal language of friendship and understanding, even in the current international climate, fostering peace and collaboration among young people worldwide.
Moses Kwereba will coach the youngsters , while David Chesaina will be the male Chaperone, and Caroline Njega, an Invited Arbiter/Chaperone, all on board to accompany the team to Russia.
