Ssegwanyi takes a Turkish ride to the Chess World Cup

Sep 01, 2015

Chess World Cup, Azerbaijan International Master (IM) Arthur Ssegwanyi’s chances to participate in the upcoming Chess World Cup have materialized after Turkish Airlines bailed him out with a return air ticket to Baku yesterday.

By David Namunyala

September 8

Chess World Cup, Azerbaijan International Master (IM) Arthur Ssegwanyi’s chances to participate in the upcoming Chess World Cup have materialized after Turkish Airlines bailed him out with a return air ticket to Baku yesterday.

The player earned a slot to the major event scheduled for September 8 in Azerbaijan, after winning the Zone 4.2 Chess Championship hosted in Kampala last year.

But even after securing the slot Ssegwanyi still needed about sh5m to cater for his travel plans which have now been sorted out.

“I didn’t have the morale to make final preparations because I was still doubtful about my travel. But am glad that Turkish Airlines has made my dream come true and I will not let them down,” he said after securing the air ticket at the Turkish Airlines offices in Kampala.

Ssegwanyi, who is Uganda’s second IM title holder after Elijah Emojong, will be the first chess player in East Africa to take part at the World Cup.

He is seeded 60th at the event that will have 64 participants competing in 11 rounds.

Turkish Airlines general manager Erbil Akgun and marketing manager Isaac Gonza presided over the brief function and promised to continue their partnership with the Uganda Chess Federation in a bid to promote the sport.

Related to the story

Ssegwanyi not scared of big names at Chess World Cup

Siblings star at national junior chess championships

Uganda targets chess gold


 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});