KENYAN CHESS INSTRUCTOR JAMES KANG’ARU MWANGI FEATURED ON FORBES AFRICA 30 UNDER 30 LIST

James Kang’aru Mwangi made headlines for the better part of Wednesday, June 2, after being named in the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list. In its seventh edition, Forbes Africa featured Africans under the age of 30 who are innovative entrepreneurs, tech geeks, sports stars and influential creatives.

“Glory to God. History is made once again! I am so honored to become the first African chess sportsman to be featured in #ForbesAfrica30under30. Thank you @Forbes @forbesafrica This recognition is a testament that my Contributions in Chess are Valid @FIDE_chess @youthagenda254”said Kang’aru.

Kang’aru, 26 is the CEO of Epitome School of Chess and an instructor accredited by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Through Epitome, he has worked with various sports affiliated bodies including Sports Outreach Program in Kenya, Chess Kenya, Minichess Kenya and the Lighthouse Chess Club, Mombasa.

In 2015, he participated in the Africa Trainers seminar hosted in Uganda and was awarded the National Instructor (NI) title by FIDE (World Chess Federation).  Come 2016, Kang’aru once again won the best coach of the year title after leading three children to emerge national champion. 

In 2017, he broke all records and won seven national champions out of the 12 in the children category. In 2018, he was appointed Deputy Chief Arbiter in the Africa Youth Chess Championships becoming the first Kenyan to be selected for such an African appointment.

Kang’aru has also worked with Africa Chess Confederation making him the first Kenyan to be Chief Arbiter in continental events in 2019. In 2020, he was among young people awarded in the Top 35 – Under 35 Awards m where he merged the overall youth of the year in the sports category. 

“I am honoured and humbled to have won youth of year in sports considering I was against other personalities in contact sports which goes to show that board games should be held to a level as other games,” he said at the time.