Talent Nuwareeba impresses at 2024 Ntare Open Chess Championship

The 2024 Ntare Open Chess Championship was successfully held in Mbarara over the weekend rising star Talent Nuwareeba leading the rest.

The 14-year-old,  P7 pupil at Holistic Junior School in Mitooma emerged winner in both the Juniors and the Ladies category, to take home two gold medals and sh100,000.

In fact, with the tournament having star Bob Bibasa vs 6 players at the same time, Nuwareeba became the only player that managed a draw with the Fide Master.

“I am very happy about this win and I will keep working hard so I keep winning because my target is becoming a good player and representing Uganda in international competitions in the future,” said Nuwareeba.

Victor Turyasingura of P5 and Augustine Turyatemba of P4,  both pupils of Holistic Junior School won silver and bronze respectively in the junior’s category, while Alvin Oshabe, the president of Ntare Chess Club finished 3rd overall to take home a bronze and 100,000UGX cash prize.

The one-day open event was topped by FIDE Master (FM) Bob Bibaasa who recorded a tie break of 31.5 to take home a gold medal and a sh300,000, beating the closest challenger Grace Batambuze from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) who settled for bronze and sh200,000e as Oshabe finished 3rd.

Solomon Asiimwe of Ntare School finished 9th overall to become the youngest player to finish among the top 10.

“We are happy that we are registering more numbers in every event we have held in Western Uganda and of all, that the young ones from schools are taking these improvement strides. This encourages us to believe and hopes that this sport will gain strong roots shortly,” said Ian Nyesiga, the Chess coordinator in Western Uganda.

The event attracted 8 schools Mbarara High School, Ntare School, Maryhill High School, Mbarara SS, Ibanda SS, St Mary’s Vocational and Kigarama SS, and primary schools Uganda Martyrs and Holistic Junior, took part.