Home Chess News A recap of the 2015 Rwanda Chess Championship

A recap of the 2015 Rwanda Chess Championship

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Kenya Chess Masala
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A recap of the 2015 Rwanda Chess Championship

Kenyan chess suddenly seems so busy!
You will recall that Purity Maina was an arbiter during the recently concluded 25th World Seniors Championship in Acqui Terme, Italy. This time we had Duke Michieka of Kenya who was an arbiter at the just concluded 2015 Rwanda National Chess Championship held in Kigali.
Poster for the event.
Poster for the event.

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Rwanda National Chess Championships

The Rwanda National Chess Championships 2015 was held at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center (IPRC) in Kigali. The event attracted 14 players in the Open Section and 12 players in the Ladies Section. The Open Section ran from Thursday 10th to 13th December 2015 with the Swiss system of pairings in 9 rounds with time controls of 75mins +30 seconds increment from move one. Ladies Section was a 7 round, 60 minutes time control.

The playing hall.
The playing hall.

After a grueling and well fought event, the Open section saw FERWADE Executive Secretary Niyibizi Alain Patience lifting the winner’s trophy with 7.5/9 points and earn himself the title of Rwanda National Champion 2015/2016.  He also qualifies directly to the last phase of the Olympiad selection team event next year in May.

Niyibizi Alain Patience (right) on his way to victory.
Niyibizi Alain Patience (right) on his way to victory.

Last year’s defending champion CM Rizugura Alexis finished second with 7/9 points.  Kagabo Mugema Eugene and Ndagiza Asad tied for joint third with 6/9 points. The winner also took home RWF 50,000 (approximately USD 70) while second and third place got RWF 30,000 and RWF 20,000 respectively.

Ladies section

Shimwa Faustine defended her title to be crowned winner with a perfect score of 7/7 points. Odile Kalisa was second with 5/7 points while third place was Uwase Sandrine with 4.5/7 points.

Ladies in action.
Ladies in action.
The winner took home RWF 30,000 while second and third place got RWF 20,000 and RWF 10,000 respectively.
Charming chess player - Happiness Mutete a student of Ecole Primaire Kinunga
Charming chess player – Happiness Mutete a student of Ecole Primaire Kinunga
Proud winners Niyibizi Alain Patience & Shimwa Faustine pose with their trophies
Proud winners Niyibizi Alain Patience & Shimwa Faustine pose with their trophies

Kasparov Chess Foundation

Duke’s trip to the beautiful and clean Kigali city was sponsored by Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa.  The trip was to get the Rwanda Championship FIDE rated and for Duke to obtain his IA norm.
Downtown Kigali.
Downtown Kigali.

Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa has done a lot to promote chess in Rwanda.  In February this year the foundation sponsored the KCB Bank v Rwanda event which enabled 6 players from Rwanda to obtain their FIDE rating.

Crosstable from the historic KCB Chess Club v Team Rwanda.
Crosstable from the historic KCB Chess Club v Team Rwanda.
The good news for us in this region is that there are plans for the 2016 Rwanda Open.  The event will be held from 30thJanuary to 1st February 2016 in Kigali.  Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa will be the sponsors once again.
Kigali skyline.
Kigali skyline.

 

 

 

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