(Press release courtesy of Uganda Chess Federation)
Olympian Bob Bibasa drew with National Chess Champion, Arthur Ssegwanyi as Harold Wanyama beat Grace Nsubuga in the final round of the Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Championship at Hotel Africana. The results mean that all three players finish with 7.5 points each out of 9.
To determine the overall winner, the Uganda Chess Federation has subjected the three players to a double round robin Blitz competition to determine the overall winner. At the time of filing this report, Ssegwanyi was taking on Bibasa as Wanyama waits in the wings.
The winner will bag UGX 700,000/-, third UGX 300,000/-, fourth UGX 150,000/- and fifth UGX 50,000/- in the Civil Aviation Authority sponsored event. The top three will also get trophies to be awarded at the closing ceremony scheduled for 4.30 pm, this afternoon.
Kenya’s Matthew Kanegeni lost to Kenneth Kakooza in the final round to finish with 6 points as Kakooza finished with 7 alongside Kenya’s Githinji Hinga also at 7 points after he beat Ssonko Mathias in the final round.
The ladies championship was won by defending champion, Phiona Mutesi who beat Stella Babirye in the final round played this morning to finish with 8 points.
Mrs. Judith Rwabushenyi (right) hands over the Ladies winner's trophy and cash prize to the Rwabushenyi Memorial Ladies Champion, Phiona Mutesi
In second position was Olympian Ivy Amoko with 7.5 points after she got a point against Goretti Angolikin. National Ladies Champion, Grace Kigeni finished in joint third position with Christine Namaganda at 6.5 points but Namaganda edged it with a better tie break.
A record total of 109 participants from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda participated in the event. Tanzania had three representatives including Nurdin Hassuji who finished with 4.5 points out of 9 and ended the event on a high after beating Barclays Chess Club’s Captain Norman Muwanguzi and Ebrahim Mustafa who finished with 5 points after beating Henry Kimbowa in the final round.
Tanzania's Nurdin Hassuji makes a move as he waits for his opponent