Seven-year-old chess prodigy Tiahna Njeri has set her sights on reaching the elite level of the game, crediting her parents for their unwavering support in nurturing her ambition.
‘I intend to play chess at an elite level. I thank my parents for the support. I want to keep working hard until I break the glass ceiling,’ said Njeri.
Despite her tender age, Njeri is already making her mark in the chess world, displaying remarkable concentration, discipline and competitive instincts.
Her journey began when she was barely one and a half years old. Watching her mother, Pauline Murithi, play chess at home sparked her interest. Fascinated by the movement across the board, she would often reach out to move them, initially out of a desire to imitate her parents.
Recognising her growing interest, her parents deliberately nurtured her passion by introducing her to the different chess pieces and their movements. Njeri could identify all the pieces at only two years old.
With guidance from her personal coach, Joseck Osoro, a renowned chess coach at Playstreet School in Lavington, Njeri began structured training to strengthen her understanding of the game. She made an impressive start in competitive chess after entering the Under-8 Girls category at a professional tournament held at Alliance Girls High School. Her performance earned her selection to national competition at Kitale National Polytechnic, where she scored 4.5 points.
On October 4, 2025, at just six years old, Njeri claimed her first major trophy after emerging as the overall winner in the Under-7 Girls category at the second edition of the Brookhurst International Open Youth Chess Championship.
The victory boosted her confidence and signalled the potential of her early introduction to the game. She followed it up with another podium finish at the 2026 Africa Under-17 Chess Championship Kiambu qualifiers, where she finished second.
Her impressive run continued at the Kenya U-7 National Chess Championship, where she secured third place nationally. The achievement was particularly significant for Grandstart School in Ruiru, Kiambu County, which she represented.
More recently, Njeri showcased her growing potential at the 2026 KCB Open Chess Championship, held at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen. Competing in the Open section against a more experienced field, she finished among the top five competitors in her Under-7 category.
Her father, Ian Njoroge, expressed pride in her talent and determination to improve, pledging continued family support as she pursues her ambitions.
“We are so proud of Tiahna for her amazing talent and desire to improve in chess. We will continue investing in her, and hopefully, she will represent the country in local, regional and international competitions,” said Njoroge.
