The UGX (Ugandan Shillings) 8,000,000/- Civil Aviation Authority sponsored Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Championship ended in earnest with 17 year old Elija Emojong stealing the show with calm and collected displays that saw him lead the pack with an incredible 7 out of 8 points.
The win, his first in a major competition of this magnitude earned him a UGX 750,000/- cash prize and a prestigious trophy. Emojong won seven games and only lost once to second placed Simon Gonza with whom they tied at 7 points but were separated by tie break points. Emojong’s high profile victims included Olympian Shadrack Kantinti, defending champion Harold Wanyama, Arthur Segwanyi and Vianney Luggya among others.
Second placed Gonza’s hard work also earned him a trophy and UGX 500,000/-. In third position was Arthur Segwanyi at 6.5 points. He too walked off with a trophy and UGX 350,000/- from the sponsors.
The ladies category was won by 15 year old Olympian Phiona Mutesi with 6.5 points out of 7, which got her a trophy and UGX 500,000/-. In second position was Makerere University student Goretti Angolikin with 6 points while Olympian Grace Kigeni emerged third with 4.5 points tying with fellow Olympian Ivy Amoko and defending champion Christine Namaganda. The second and third got trophies and cash prizes as well.
(Information courtesy of http://uganda.fide.com/)