Wanyama edges Kawuma to Mulago Open title

In the women’s category, Christine Namaganda, the 2011 female chess player of the year, was unbeaten in all the seven rounds.

KAMPALA
Harold Wanyama edged Patrick Kawuma on a tie break to win the Mulago Open Chess Championship on Sunday.

The duo treated chess fans to a thrilling show throughout the three-day event at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Rubaga, finishing with 6.5 points apiece at the end of the seven rounds.

Wanyama recorded easy wins over Wilson Mugwanya, Ivan Opuye, Rajab Kamoga, Benjamin Mukumbya, Geoffrey Kanduho and David Mugisha in the earlier rounds. He came face to face with Kawuma in round six but there was little to separate the two as their clash ended in a stalemate.

Kawuma had brushed aside Alex Sebuufu, Vianney Luggya, Bob Bibasa, Simon Gonza, Richard Tugume and Ben Mukambye in the earlier rounds but was not lucky when it came to the nerve-wracking tie break.

“I enjoyed it,” Wanyama said after receiving his Shs0.2m winner’s cash prize. “It’s important to be proud of every game you play irrespective of the results,” added the Mulago Kings player.

Kawuma pocketed Shs0.15m for his efforts but must have felt hard done to let the top prize slip away into his teammate’s hands. Rajab Kamoga secured third position with 5.5 points after defeating Simon Gonza in the final round.

Bob Bibasa, David Mugisha and Benjamin Mukumbya finished joint fourth with 4.5 points. FIDE Master Elijah Emojong, who struggled with ill-health throughout the tournament, trailed the trio on four points.

Christine Namaganda, the 2011 chess player of the year, was unbeaten throughout the seven rounds enroute to winning the women’s title. Olympiad Phiona Mutetsi finished second with six points followed by Cathy Kenyange on 4.5.

odongoj@ug.nationmedia.com