Pido is a FIDE Master after winning Africa schools U-15 chess title

Uganda’s Edwin Pido bagged gold in the U-15 category as the Africa Individual Schools Chess Championship (AISCC) 2021 ended in Nairobi on Sunday.

The gold not only earned him the Africa Championship U-15 title but also the prestigious FIDE (FM) Master title .

He alongside Nygaard Ajiri who picked bronze in the same category and Ssubi Kiwanuka in the U-11 and Jayden Mubiru in the under-9 consequently qualified for the World Schools Chess Championships that will be held in Panama next year.

Pido, 14, picked 8.5 points in the 9-round tournament to help Uganda to a fourth-place finish out of six countries that took part. The St Mary’s College Kisubi student also received a book by Kisho from Malawi handed over to him by the Malawi Chess Federation President Susan Namangale.

Playing in the under-9, Mubiru scooped a silver which earned him the Candidate Master title (CM). On their part, Nygaard and Kiwanuka will also be awarded the Candidate master titles. Master titles are offered conditionally until a particular rating cap is met.

Team Uganda entered the final day of the prestigious 2021 AISCC with two guaranteed podium finishes. Several other players were to borrow a leaf from Pido the event's Most Valuable Player and U15 Champion.

Uganda was also represented by Benjamin Ajiri, Grace Nkuutu, Enock Omara, Britney Namirimu, and Margaret Nassiwa in the U-17, Zion Siima, Janice Namiiro, Patricia Kawuma, Zion Mawejje in the U-15, Caroline Mirembe, Haggai Mawejje, Caroline Mirembe, Janelle Nankya, Scarlett Murungi in the U-13 and Jayson Mubiru, Kennedy Javuru, Isaac Tendo, Jayson Mubiru, Samantha Nemigisha, Kiwanuka Ssali-Mukasa, Alpha Muwanguzi, Sandra Mpeirwe, Mulwanyi Kiwanuka, in the U-9 and U-7 categories.

The event attracted players from South Africa, Ghana, Malawi, Botswana, Uganda, and hosts Kenya. South Africa topped the medal tally with ten (4gold, 5silver, 1 bronze), while Ghana with 3 gold and 1 silver finished second. Kenya with 2 gold, 3 silver, and five bronze finished third.