Makerere chess Open
Top five finishers
1. P. Kawuma 6.5
2. H. Wanyama 6
3. F. Fauza 6
4. B. Bibasa 5.5
5. R. Kamoga 5.5
Ladies
1. I. Amoko 6
2. C. Namaganda 6
3. R. Nsubuga 5.5
4. G. Angolikin 5.5
5. K. Kenyangye 5

By Phillip Corry

FAST rising Patrick Kawuma and national ladies champion Ivy Amoko beat a strong field of 50 to emerge champions of the 2010 Makerere University chess Open on Monday.

Kawuma, on his way to victory beat Samuel Kizito and James Otto in rounds one and two. He fell to Ivan Seguya, but recovered to register wins over Makerere’s captain Charles Magoma, Fred Okiring and drew with Bob “The Beast” Bibasa.

The youthful player kept his cool to win his last two matches against battle hardened Rajab Kamoga of Kampala Club and Mulago Knights captain Simon Gonza in the seventh and eighth rounds respectively.

Harold Wanyama and Nkumba’s Farouk Fauza came second while Bibasa tied for third with Kampala Club’s Rajab Kamoga.

Amoko stamped her authority among the ladies when she emerged top with six points despite a false start.

She beat Amelia Nakiberu in round one then suffered two defeats in round two and three at the hands of former junior champion Christine Namaganda and Rita Nsubuga.

Amoko composed herself to win five games against Grace Kigeni, Elizabeth Kasujja, Joan Butindo, Goretti Angolikin and Kathy Kenyangye.