International Master Arthur Ssegwanyi has pulled out of the Rwabushenyi Memorial Open Chess Championship, citing poor organization by Uganda Chess Federation [UCF].
Ssegwanyi’s frustration and decision to end his journey midway the tournament come after he was forced to lose the third round by forfeit owing to changes in the starting time.
On Thursday when the tournament was commencing, the first round started at 10:00 AM, but this was changed the following day and no communication was made.
“I have dropped out of the tournament,” a frustrated Ssegwanyi who was hoping to defend the championship said.
“The starting time was changed and that cost me the first game [third round]. They changed the time from 9:00 AM then to 9:30 AM without communicating. It being a premier event, they could have communicated.
“It’s really sad. The organization hasn’t been great at all.”
The rules state that one can claim a walkover if an opponent doesn’t appear within 30 minutes of the starting time. Rajab Kamoga was the player who benefited from this as he claimed the easy victory on board one.
Ssegwanyi had won both his opening games, and was one of the favorites to win the event he’s won two times. With the competition so stiff at the tourney, defeat, and a forced one at that is not an option. You understand why the IM had to withdraw.
His withdrawal means two of the only three players to ever win the event are now out, with IM Elijah Emojong opting to sit out the competition to reinvent himself and focus on Kireka Open.
The other player that has triumphed at the Rwabushenyi is FM Harold Wanyama who has won it a record three times. The FM, after four rounds of play sits fourth with 3.5 points.
On the lead currently is FM Haruna Nsubuga who tops with maximum points. After Kamoga surprisingly shared spoils with WFM Christine Namaganda, and FM Raphael Buti losing to Wanyama in the third round, the 25-year-old remains the only player on a winning run.