Kenya’s Bryan Toboso wins inaugural Makadara Open

For the first time in a very long time, a Ugandan player failed to triumph at a Kenyan event.

A rare name came up on top as Bryan Toboso Akhanyinya won the inaugural Makadara Open Chess Championships in Nairobi.

Before the tournament commenced, the normal talk of which Ugandan player would come out on top in the battle for the inaugural Makadara Open was the conversation, but to everyone’s surprise, a Kenyan triumphed.

Akhanyinya, rated 1840 beat all his opponents including Uganda’s Allan Mathias Ssonko in a six round event to emerge a rare champion in an event that had some of the East Africa’s top dogs including International Master Elijah Emojong, Fide Master Harold Wanyama and Woman Fide Master Ivy Clare Amoko.

It was a disappointing tournament for Ugandans who not less than two weeks ago, bossed the Mombasa International Open. Only Ssonko [3^rd] and Emojong [4^th] finished in the podium positions.

Wanyama came seventh, while Amoko finished 15^th and Bashir Yusuf Daahir came 18^th.

Kenya who took the top two positions finally get the bragging rights after such a long time.