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Elsie Wambui Kamoni

CTC Africa Ambassador

Thika Road Christian School, Nairobi, Kenya

Elsie.Kamoni@chessCTC.org

Meet the extraordinary ELSIE WAMBUI KAMONI, a vivacious 9-year-old hailing from Thika Road Christian School in Nairobi, Kenya. Elsie’s incredible journey into the world of chess began at just five years old when she tagged along with her twin brothers to the 2019 National Youth Chess Championship. Little did she know that this simple encounter would ignite a lifelong passion.

In less than three years, Elsie’s love for chess had already taken her on an awe-inspiring adventure. Despite her age, she’s already been making waves on the global chess scene, connecting with people from all walks of life and diverse cultures.

In 2020, Elsie joined Membley Titans Chess Club, a move that set her on a path of rapid growth. Then came 2021, a year that saw her channeling her determination during a lengthy school break to dive deep into the intricacies of chess. This unwavering commitment laid the groundwork for her subsequent achievements.

Elsie’s major accomplishments include:

  • In 2020, she clinched second place in the U8 Girls category at the Africa School Online Individual Championships, Central Region.
  • 2021 marked her representing Kenya with pride in the U8 Girls Africa Youth Chess Championship held in Accra, Ghana.
  • That same year, she was selected to represent Kenya in the U7 Girls Africa Individual Schools Chess Championship.
  • The highlight of 2021 was undoubtedly her moment of glory – a gold medal in the Africa Chess Championship, Under 7 Girls category, hosted in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Elsie’s winning streak continued with the title of U8 Girls Kiambu Region Champion at the 2022 Kenya National Youth Chess Championship.
  • In the same year, she demonstrated her prowess once more in the U8 girls category of the 2022 Kenya National Youth Chess Championship, securing a commendable fifth place nationally.
  • Expanding her horizons, she proudly carried Africa’s flag in the U8 Girls category at the 2022 World Schools Chess Championship held in Panama City.
  • Local victories persisted as she claimed the title of U7 Girls Kiambu Region Champion at the 2022 Kenya National Schools Individual Chess Championship.
  • Proving herself yet again, she secured the crown of U10 girls 2023 Kiambu Region Champion at the Kenya National Youth and Cadets Chess Championship.
  • The year 2023 saw her bagging the first runners-up position in the U9 Girls category at the Kenya Schools National Chess Championship, Nairobi Region.
  • Concluding her impressive feats, she stood tall as the ninth-ranked U9 girl nationally at the 2023 Kenya Nationals School Chess Championship.

But Elsie isn’t solely focused on winning trophies; her heart beats for giving back. Her mission? To support less privileged children in learning chess. Through mentoring and introducing them to chess tournaments, she’s planting seeds of enthusiasm and encouraging more youngsters to embrace the game.

Adding to her accolades, Elsie’s unswerving dedication led to her being named the Africa Ambassador of Chess Through Challenges (CTC) in April 2023. This honor was bestowed upon her after a significant meeting with CTC’s visionary founder and CEO, Ellen Wang, in Panama City in 2022.

Elsie’s affiliations span distinguished chess circles, including HerMoveNext, Cross Cultural Girls Chess Club, and Membley Chess Titans. Presently refining her skills at the Mavens Chess Club, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of excellence.

When she’s not mastering chess moves, Elsie finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. Building new friendships, exploring new destinations through travel, swimming, skating, and getting lost in the pages of a captivating book are all part of her world.

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