CHESS: Gong edges Fide Master Bibasa to win inaugural Gulu end of year open

Gulu End of year chess championship 2024

• Overall winner: Gong Thon Gong – 6.5 points

• 1^st Runners up: FM Bob Bibasa – 6 points

• 2^nd Runners up: Samuel Ngong Gal – 6 points

• Best lady: Caroline Lanyero – 4 points

• U-8 winner: Sunday Kuc – 4 points

• U-12 winner: David Kim Owor – 5 points

• U-14 winner: Mercy Elna Lakica – 5 points

• U-16 winner: Emmanuel Oruu – 5 points

• U-18 winner: Edwin Pido – 6 points

• Best senior (50 years plus): McDonald Presby Oketta – 3.5 points

The first edition of the Gulu end of year open chess championship was successfully concluded at Elephante Commons in Gulu city on Sunday, 22^nd December 2024.

A total of 85 players took part in the day long championship played over 7 rounds.

South Sudanese national Gong Thon Gong scored 6.5 points to emerge as the overall winner.

Gong was half a point better than Fide Master Bob Bibasa who finished with 6 points.

Samuel Ngong Gal came third with 6 points as Caroline Lanyero scored 4 points to take the best lady award.

Age Category awards:

In the U-8, Sunday Kuc was winner with 4 points. David Kim Owor had 5 points to win the U-10.

For the U-14 cluster, Mercy Elna Lakica emerged top with 5 points whilst Emmanuel Oruu won U-16 with 5 points.

Edwin Pido took home the U-18 top prize after scoring 6 points.

The best senior (50 years and above) was McDonald Presby Oketta with 3.5 points.

Rewards:

There were trophies and cash rewards to the all the top performers on the day.

The tournament chief arbiter was IA Stephen Kisuze Ssemango (FM, FI).

The chief organizer, FI AO Patrick Ojok who was deputized by Mc Donald Oketa.

Lino Ogora was in charge of publicity with Richard Owiny the main coordinator.

Lovelle Odong was the registration manager.

The event was sponsored by Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) and hosted by Elephante Commons, an innovation incubator that runs several events within their Gulu City facility and also provide restaurant and accommodation services for guests.

Mr. Robert Okot, the Gulu city sports officer was chief guest.