Ugandan chess players dominate Kisii Open
Ugandan chess players swept the top 3 places in the just concluded Kisii Open Chess tournament. IM Arthur Ssegwanyi & FM Patrick Kawuma ended up with 5.5 points out of 6 rounds to lead the pack. IM Ssegwanyi was declared winner as he had a higher tie break. FM Haruna Nsubuga of Uganda was third with 5 points.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi & FM Patrick Kawuma shared a cash prize of KES 25,000 (USD 250) each. FM Haruna Nsubuga went home with KES 8,000 (USD 80). The total cash prize fund was the one of the largest this year at KES 100,000 (USD 1,000).
Ricky Sang was the top Kenyan with 4.5 points who ended up in joint 3rd position.
WCM Joyce Nyaruai won the top ladies prize of KES 15,000 (USD 150) when she amassed 3.5 points.
Penninah Nkabo, Winnie Thitu, Dorcus Wanjala & Safina Mugide were tied for 2nd place in the Ladies section with 3 points each. They each earned KES 5,000.
The event has been proudly sponsored by the top hotel in the region Mocha Hotel – Mocha Hotel. Winnie Thitu was the chief organiser sponsored the cash prizes of KES 100,000 (USD 1,000). Winnie now joins an elite band of highly dedicated chess organisers who help chess to blossom.
Winnie’s first event was the Machakos Chess Club Tournament which she organised in June 2017. More on that event can be found here – Machakos Chess Club Tournament.
A total of 43 players took part in the event run over 6 rounds. The time control was 60 minutes plus 30 seconds.
Junior Section
Peter Mark of of Boliza Academy was the winner in the Junior section. He obtained a perfect 6 points out of 6 rounds.
Tyrel Hong of Kisii Academy and Javan Omondi of Boliza Academy were joint 2nd with 4.5 points each. Tyrel Hong was however declared as runners up as he had a better tie break.
The Junior section had a total of 10 players.