Eighteen Kenyan players are in Lima, Peru, for the International Chess Federation World School Championships.
The team was cherry-picked in August during the Kenya National Schools Chess Championships at WellSpring.
Team Kenya features standout talents like Sacred Heart Academy's Darien Kigen, Nathaniel Manyeki from Brookside Preparatory International School, and Shawn Kimutai of Alliance High School.
"Despite the logistical challenges we had, the team is fueled by the knowledge that the championships could define their legacy in the sport," said Chess Kenya chief arbitrator Antony Kiaga.
Team Kenya got late approvals, on March 17, for the trip to Southern America, a mere 43 days to the tournament.
They left the country on Wednesday night, a day to kick off, thus missing out on Round One of the tournament on Friday (today).
Visa processing was their biggest hurdle, coupled with the long flight to the Peruvian capital.
The team, which has players from under seven to under 17, are under head coach Tom Amwai, his assistant, Peris Njeri, and chaperone-cum-head of delegation, Rodah Olisa.
However, under-7 player Aaliyah Jasmine of Banda School, Nairobi, missed the trip for personal reasons and her replacement Naomi Wamwenje, also failed to travel due to a visa hitch.
Brookside Preparatory International School duo of Nathaniel Manyeki and Winnie Muchoki will compete in the under-9 category.
Homescholar Christian Mugambi and Abigail Obonyo of Rauraka Academy lead the charge in the under-11 division.
The under-13 category has Abel Taji of Seedlings Junior School, Nairobi, and Shakira Shukri from Jalaram School, Kisumu.
The under-15 division has the likes of Jerry Simiyu of St. Patrick’s Iten and Amy Mutua of Starehe Girls Centre.
In the under-17 open division are Daniel Misiko of St. Mary's Kibabii Boys' and Nathaniel Mugwanja of Oshwal Academy, Nairobi, and Shawn Tanui of Alliance High School.
Yvonne Adego Mwashe of Light International School, Mombasa is the sole actor in the girls' under-17 category.
Others are Pamela Muhonja of St. Brigids Girls' Kiminini, Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls' duo of Cassie Wanjiku and Grace Mboya, Abigael Nafula of Elivio Academy, Bungoma, Maysie Andie of St. Monica’s Girls' High School, Kitale and Laurecia Atiagaga of Moi Girls', Eldoret.
