Children turn up in big numbers for the Kampala Chess Festival

Mukisa Patrick, the head coach of KTCA, attributes the wins to constant practice. “But the difference between you and them is that they play a lot of games,” Lubega revealed.
For those who expect miracles on the chessboard during the competition, when they have not been training, it is impossible. “I always tell my players that Weakness in training is weakness in the tournament,” Lubega urged.

To amass all those victories, Lubega says he always encourages strong members in the team to play with the weak ones.  In that way, the weak ones are also able to improve and catch up with the strong ones.

On the other hand, the guest of honour,  Isaac Munanira, said chess is an opportunity for the young players to keep learning.   Even those who do not scoop victories, Munanira said, they should not lose the lesson to be humble, but work harder to become a winner.

Former Olympian and national chess player, Munanira advised parents not to leave their children on the computer screens all the time but schedule some time for sports to become better.

Peace Masiko, a parent, applauded the organisers, the different schools involved, and the host and prayed that the unity continued.

“It’s good to see Clubs and schools coming together to play,” she said.
Masiko remarked that coming together helps children interact and network at quite an early stage.

Juliet Asaba was the overall winner in the U-14 girls category. (Credit: Maureen Nakatudde)

Besides that, Masiko said children develop their cognitive abilities and also learn to be resilient  

There were 10 categories, and all the winners scooped gold medals; the second in position got silver, and the third-place winners settled for bronze.  In addition, all winners had certificates.

The overall winners, Asaba and Ahumuza, each won a flat screen television, while those under the category of six had smart watches in addition to certificates and medals.

In the U-6 girls’ category, Jasmine Tamba Parwot won with 5 points, followed by Michaela Barigye with 4 points, while Ayia Noya Atamba was in third position with 1.5 points.

Joshua Musinguzi   in the U-6 boys’ category took the gold medal with 3.5 points, who was trailed by Lewis Kibirige and Levi Mushabe with 2.5 points

In the U-8 Girls Category, Jacinta Mbabazi took the victory with 8 points, followed by Nicole Tamale, who had 7 points, and third in position Patricia Nabyalu, with 6 points.

For the U-8 Boys Category, Matayo Barigye had 7 points, while his runner-up, Samuel Kawesi, had 7 points. But Barigye had better ratings than his opponent, so he took the first position.  

Alpha Nsenga was third in this category with 6 points.
Karen Babirye in the U-10 girls’ category won this category with 6 points; Abaasa Bampamya became second with 5 points, while Masha Kirabo had 5 points. However, Bampamya had better ratings than Kirabo, so she took second place.

When it came to U- 10 boys’ category, all three players tied: Julian Wanyama, Hananie Mambi and Shreyash Shubhang with six points.  But this tie was broken depending on who had the better ratings. So Wanyama became the winner, Mambi the second and Shubhang the third.

In the U-12 girls’ category, all three players Manuela Okurur, Srivall Garikapati, and Nicole Walusimbi had 6 points. But this tie was broken by the rating.  So Okurur took gold, Garikapati settled for silver, and Walusimbi had bronze.

For the U-12 Boys’ category, Ronald Wabwire took home gold with 7 points. He was followed by Mallick Matovu and Peter Kigozi with six points. Since Matovu had better ratings than Kigozi became second while Kigozi was third in this category.      
            
Asaba, who was the overall winner in the girls' competition, was also the best in the U-14 girls’ category. She beat Anil Yadav, who had 5 points, and Ariellea Atebat with 5.5 points.

In the U-14 boy’s catgory  Apollo Ahumuza won with 8 points, followed by Nicholas   Bukenya with 7 points, and Pagliucoli  Alenzo in third place with 5.5 points.