Mulago chess player Harold Wanyama claimed the Mulago Open Chess Championship with 6.5 points each out of a possible 7 with a better tie break score than his closest challenger Patrick Kawuma on the weekend at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Kampala.
Last year’s event was won by National Chess Champion, Arthur
Ssegwanyi who did not participate in this year’s event.
Kawuma beat Benjamin Mukumbya in the last round while Wanyama beat Geoffrey Kanduho in the last round.
In third position was Rajab Kamoga with 5.5 points after he beat Simon Gonza in the last round. Bob Bibasa, David Mugisha and Benjamin Mukumbya tied in joint fourth position.
The ladies category was won by Christine Namaganda who was unbeaten and finished with 7 points out of a possible 7. FIDE Master Elijah Emojong finished the event with only 4 points. Olympian Phiona Mutesi finished in second position with 6 points followed by Cathy Kenyange with 4.5 points.
To win the ladies category, Namaganda beat Deborah Wanja, Goretti Angolikin, Cathy Kenyange and Stella Nabachwa among others. Cash prizes to the top three in each of the ladies and men’s categories were handed out to the winners at the closing ceremony held at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel. A total of 55 players participated in the event arbitrated by FIDE Arbiter, Stephen Kisuze assisted by Augustine Etyangat and Ronald Twinamasiko. The event was sponsored by Dr. George Zirembuzi to the tune of one million shillings.