How Kireka Panthers won the 2022/2023 Uganda Chess League

Kireka Chess Club, hitherto the panthers claimed the 2022-2023 Uganda national chess league.

This was the second time on the podium as victors in four years since the 2019 success story.

Kireka Panthers won 13 matches and drew once (against compatriots Kireka A) to amass as many as 40 points out of a possible 42 points.

They were thus crowned champions unbeaten, two points ahead of Kireka A to complete a 1-2 finish, same as in 2019.

The stand out players for the champions were; Simon Gonza (scored 8 points out of 9 games on board 3), two-time Junior Champion Benjamin Ajiri Netanyahu (6.5 points out of 7 games on board 4), WFM Ivy Amoko (4.5 points out of 5 games on board 5) and the South Sudanese duo of Gong Thon Gong and Peter Majur Manyang who scored 6 points each out of 7 games on board 2 and 3 consecutively.

The team skipper Paul Kafuko attributed the victory to teamwork, great planning and the will power from management to push the team to greater heights.

“It was a concerted effort of hard work, determination, team spirit and strategy from the players and the club management. As our motto says Home of Champions, we did not have an alternative but to win” Kafuko was quoted by the club website.

Kireka Chess Club has won the Uganda Chess League for a record breaking seven (7) consecutive seasons since the year 2016.

Meanwhile, Kireka A won the Rapid competition and the Panthers played second fiddle.

Kafuko lauded the fellow players for the brave effort throughout the grueling season.

He also singled out the technical docket that planned and strategized for the team as well as the management for the financial coffers extended.

The national chess league is sponsored by Premier Bet.