Home Chess News FM Nsubuga wins 2021 Rwabushenyi Memorial

FM Nsubuga wins 2021 Rwabushenyi Memorial

January 2, 2022

402

FM Nsubuga wins 2021 Rwabushenyi Memorial

FM Haruna Nsubuga cruised to a comfortable win at the 2021 Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Championship with 7 points out of 8 rounds. He was undefeated and drew only two games to grab his maiden title in this historic and long-running event.

FM Haruna Nsubuga in action during the 60th Nairobi Chess Club Championship held in August 2018. Photo credit Kim Bhari.

Interestingly, in round five, he defeated Uganda’s top player IM Arthur Ssegwanyi who is rated 2409, while FM Nsubuga is rated 2099.

IM Arthur Ssegwanyi and Julius Ssali also ended up with 7 points in the 2nd and 3rd place respectively due to the tie-breaks.

FM Patrick Kawuma, the second-seeded player, ended with 6 points in joint 4th place or 10th in the ranking. IM Elijah Emojong scored 5.5 points in joint 5th place or 15th in the ranking.

Philip Mwashe of Lighthouse Chess Club was one of the 4 Kenyans who took part in the event. He ended up with a respectable 5 points.

FM Haruna Nsubuga v Philip Mwashe

Arthur Bitarinsa v James Panchol

Joshua Katumba v IM Elijah Emojong

Grand Prix

The eight round tournament ran from 2nd to 5th December 2021. The event was the first Grand Prix event to select the team for the 2022 Moscow Olympiad.

The other Grand Prix events include the Kireka Open (December 2021), Kantinti Memorial (February 2022), Zabassajja Memorial (March 2022) and the Uganda Open (April 2022).

The Uganda Chess Federation is the organiser with sponsorship from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

Poster for the event that FM Nsubuga won. — Poster for the event.

The tournament is held every year in honor of Cyril Rwabushenyi, a former director of the UCAA. He was also a founding member and former Chairman of the Uganda Chess Federation.