Kenyan Chess Star Sasha Mongeli Earns Woman International Master Title

Kenyan chess player Sasha Mongeli has made history. She has become the first Kenyan woman to earn the Woman International Master title from the world chess governing body.

The 30 year old Equity Bank Chess Club player achieved this feat after a strong performance at the 2026 Africa Individual Chess Championship in Botswana. She won bronze in the women's section.

Mongeli impressed by finishing third with 6.5 points. She entered the competition as the 17th seed based on her rating but outperformed many higher ranked players.

Her WIM title is conditional at the moment. Her current FIDE Elo rating is around 1900 which is below the required 2000 mark. She plans to play more tournaments to reach the required rating before the end of the year.

Mongeli has been a dominant force in Kenyan women's chess since 2018. She has won the national women's championship three times and represented Kenya at the Chess Olympiad.

She started playing chess while at the Technical University of Kenya in 2015. Before that she played football and table tennis during her school years.

Her latest achievement adds to a growing list of successes. She previously earned the Woman FIDE Master title after performing well at the Chess Olympiad in Georgia.

Mongeli said the title motivates her to work harder. She hopes to achieve the higher Woman Grandmaster title in future.

The Africa Individual Chess Championship attracted over 100 players. Mongeli finished behind Egyptian sisters Shahenda and Shrook Wafa who took gold and silver.

Her performance has brought pride to Kenya chess fans. It shows the growing strength of Kenyan players on the continental stage.

Chess officials in Kenya have praised her dedication and talent. They see her as a role model for young players especially girls interested in the sport.

Mongeli's success comes at a time when chess is gaining popularity in Kenya. More young people are taking up the game and participating in tournaments.