A ray of hope for chess in Western region as kids impress

Chess is slowly but steadily gaining ground in Western Uganda where the discipline has for ages been a rare one, especially among the youth.

But with a fresh effort by Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) coordinator Western Region Ian Nyesiga, there is a ray of hope for the growth and development of the sport in the area.

Evidenced by the big turn up at the first edition of the Mbarara University Open at MUST campus Kihumuro over the weekend, Nyesiga and the company can now get the courage to keep on propagating the chess message in the area.

The event attracted 104 participants from primary and secondary schools in Mbarara and Bushenyi and also high institutions of learning, an achievement Nyesiga says they will bench on to keep the message growing.

“We have witnessed a great number than we have had before and this is an encouragement that our sport is gaining root. We are working hard to see that we groom players that will realize their chess dreams by playing both at national and international competitions,” Nyesiga said.

Eventually, Victor Turyasingura, a P4 kid at Holistic Junior School Mitooma, who was taking part in a competition of such magnitude emerged as the junior overall winner after beating Uganda Martyrs primary school ace Keith Kakuru for a total of 6 points in 7 outings to take home a 50,000 shillings prize with Kakuru coming second after recording 5 points.

Mbarara University’s Daphine Mumu won the ladies’ category after recording 5 points, beating Maryhill’s Elizabeth Ndagire who came second on 4 points to win on tie-breaks over Uganda Martyrs’ Faith Nyakato who had 4 points too.

The open category winner was also decided on tie-breaks used in the International Swiss Pairing system, where Collins Alinda of Makerere University overcame Mbarara University’s Leon Kazini after the two tied on 6.5 points with Sidney Muhumuza coming 3rd on 6.

The organisers Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) chess club say this will remain an annual event.

Mbarara Chess open results

Open category

Collins Alinda          6.5/7

Leon Kazini               6.5/7

Sidney Muhumuza   6/7

Ladies category

Daphine Mumu         5/7

Elizabeth Ndagire      4/7

Faith Nyakato             4/7

Juniors

Victor Turyasingura    6/7

Keith Kakuru                 5/7

FAITH Nyakato              4/7

Seniors best

Frank Sanyu                  6/7