Chess player Stanley Omondi has been banned by Chess Kenya for three years after he was caught competing in the women’s section of the 2023 Kenyan Open Chess Championship while disguised as a woman.
Omondi, a University of Nairobi student, registered for the event using a different name, Millicent Awuor and disguised himself in a burka.
He admitted to the offence in a written response but declined to appear in person before the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).
The NDC took Omondi’s cooperation into consideration when making its ruling, but still banned him from all Chess Kenya and Chess Kenya-sanctioned events for three years, effective from April 20, 2023. Omondi can appeal the decision at the next Chess Kenya General meeting.
Omondi was caught on the second day of the tournament, which took place from April 5 to 10 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.
He claimed financial difficulties led him to cheat, as he was seeking the Sh500,000 cash prize for the women’s section winner.
He avoided playing in the Open Section, where Sh1 million was at stake and which was reserved for men and women.
Despite the presence of several highly ranked players in the Open Section, including seven Grandmasters, seven International Masters, seven Fide Masters, and five Candidate Masters, Omondi chose to compete in the women’s section.
He disguised himself by covering his head and face completely with a burka and only revealing his eyes behind spectacles.
Omondi defeated former Kenya National Chess Championship Women’s section winner Gloria Jumba and Ugandan top player Ampaira Shakira, raising suspicion among other players. Jumba described Omondi as a strong player who capitalized on her mistakes.
Many local chess players competing in the tournament were surprised to learn that Omondi was a man, and some questioned why “she” had not competed in other national chess tournaments.
