Over 70 local chess players are bracing for action in the Mulago Open Chess Championship set to run from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February 2012 at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Rubaga. The event is sponsored by Dr. George Zirembuzi of Mulago Chess club to the tune of 1,000,000/= Uganda Shillings.
There will be cash prizes for winners in the ladies and men’s categories. National team stars Arthur Ssegwanyi, Harold Wanyama, Bob Bibasa and Haruna Nsubuga who are fresh from trouncing their Kenyan compatriots are expected to lead the challenge for top honours.
The four are expected back in Kampala later today after competing in a friendly match against Kenya’s Nairobi Chess Club. Among the first people to register for the event were Patrick Ojok and Innocent Kimera. The ladies challenge is expected to be led by Olympians Grace Kigeni, Ivy Clare Amoko and Rita Nsubuga with stiff competition from last year’s National Chess League star, Christine Namaganda.