The 2015 Rwabushenyi Chess Memorial Tournament has officially pawned off at the St. Charles Lwanga Hall, Pope Paul Center in Ndeeba Kampala on Thursday.
Jacinta Carol Nantume is in the lead of the ladies with 2 points after 2 rounds of the opening day.
FCM Ivy Amoko and the tourney women category defending champion closely follows with 1.5 points.
Perhaps, Amoko, a law clerk believes there is a lot to play for as evidenced by her revelation to Kawowo Sports
We have 6 more rounds to play and I hope for the best
Jointly tied are other players in, Vanessa Nansubuga, Stellah Babirye, Esther Tushermerirwe and Joan Nakimuli closely follow the 6 top lady players on 1.5 points.
Phiona Mutesi, Olga Robinah Namwanje, Eve Ayera, Carol Nabachwa, Milicent Allison Nakalembe, Phyillis Nalubega, Shanita Namaganda, Lindah Nanfuka, Vivian Namaganda, Rhoda Namuswa all share 1 point.
Goretti Angolikin surprisingly languishes in 20th position.
In the girls’ U-15 category, Lydia Nakato and Daniel Okoth are jointly leading with 2 points a piece.
Gloria Nakiwala has 1.5 points apiece whilst Praise Kidde and Ntamba Namulondo have scored 1 point each.
Denis Mukule and John Kyobe, Timothy Kasujja, Moses Kato, Abbey Mukiibi and Jerry Okiror are jointly leading in the boys catergory with 2 points a piece.
Vicent Buwule follows closely with 1.5 points.
Defending Champion, Arthur Ssegwanyi (right) was pushed to the wall in round one
The men’s event (which is FIDE rated like the women category) is also closely contested with all the top dogs, Harold Wanyama, Arthur Ssegwanyi, Patrick Kawuma and Faruku Fauzia all still in contention.
Players will engage in round three on Friday morning.
The top winners in the men event will smile home with U.shs 1.2M with the best lady pocketing U.shs 700,000.
All the top 3 winners in the boys and girls’ U-15 and U-10 events will be rewarded with trophies.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has financed the tourney to a tune of U.shs 11.3M with cash prizes totaling to U.shs 3.5M.
The tournament is held in honour of Cryil Rwabushenyi, a former director of all Airports in Uganda, who was also the former President of Uganda Chess Federation (UCF).