(Press release courtesy of Uganda Chess Federation)
Mulago Kings Chess Club players Patrick Kawuma and Harold Wanyama won the Mulago Open Chess Championship with 6.5 points each out of a possible 7. The event ended on Sunday, 19th February 2012 at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Kampala.
Kawuma Wanyama is this year’s champion after edging Wanyama Kawuma with a slightly better tie break but the players will share the prize money for first and second position. Last year’s event was won by National Chess Champion, Arthur Ssegwanyi who did not participate in this year’s event.
Kawuma beat Benjamin Mukumbya while Wanyama beat Geoffrey Kanduho in the last round.
In third position was Rajab Kamoga with 5.5 points after he beat simon Gonza in the last round.
Bob Bibasa, David Mugisha and Benjamin Mukumbya tied in joint fourth position.
The ladies category was won by Christine Namaganda who was unbeaten and finished with 7 points out of a possible 7.
FIDE Master Elijah Emojong finished the event with only 4 points.
Olympian Phiona Mutesi finished in second position with 6 points followed by Cathy Kenyange with 4.5 points.
To win the ladies category, Namaganda beat Deborah Wanja, Goretti Angolikin, Cathy Kenyange and Stella Nabachwa among others.
Cash prizes to the top three in each of the ladies and men’s categories were handed out to the winners at the closing ceremony held at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel.
A total of 55 players participated in the event arbitrated by FIDE Arbiter, Stephen Kisuze assisted by Augustine Etyangat and Ronald Twinamasiko.
The event was sponsored by Dr. George Zirembuzi to the tune of Ugandan Shillings 1,000,000/-.
[Update from Uganda Chess Federation: Our sincere apologies for an unfortunate mix up that led to yesterday's communication which indicated that Patrick Kawuma had a better tie break than Harold Wanyama.
On the contrary, it is Harold Wanyama who had a better tie break (while both players finished with 6.5 points each out of 7). Wanyama was therefore the winner and both players shared the cash prizes for first and second.]