Nansubuga, Nakabo shine as Kireka make it four in chess show

Dec 12, 2018

Nansubuga is now the fifth and youngest female WFM title holder in Uganda.

If there is any player who stood out this season, it is youngster Gloria Nansubuga.

The 17-year old student of St. Mbuga Vocational school was the youngest and Uganda's best performer at the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Georgia. Nansubuga's performance earned her the Women Fide Master (WFM) title.

Promising player

The promising player, who features for SOM Academy on the domestic stage, participated in the Olympiad for the first time.

She won or drew her games ending the tournament unbeaten.

She beat Botswana's Ndachipiwa Kgomotso, Ui Laighleis Gearoidin (Ireland), Maldonado Mariangeli (Puerto Rico), Faulks Rebecca (Bermuda) and Magret Ngugama of Malawi.

She then drew with Russia's Woman International Master Van Zyl Charlize and Canada's WFM Demchenko Svitlana to complete the nine-round contest with 6 points.

Nansubuga is now the fifth and youngest female WFM title holder in Uganda. She became the second female player to earn the title at the Chess Olympiad after Ivy Amoko.

Amoko secured herself the title at the 2014 Olympiad in Norway.

Nansubuga's teammates Shakira Ampaire and Peninah Nakabo, who were also making their maiden appearance at the event, finished with 4.5 points each.

Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Phiona Mutesi and WFM Christine Namaganda ended the contest with 2.5 and 1.5 points respectively as Uganda's team finished in 96 position out of 150 teams.

Nakabo impressive

Elsewhere, 25-years-old Peninah Nakabo also had an outstanding season following her performances at two major events.

At her maiden appearance on the international stage, the Kireka Panthers player got a gold medal at the Africa Amateur Championship in Zambia.

Later, she settled for a bronze at the World Amateur Championship in Italy. The display earned her the Nile Special/Uganda Special Press Association personality for April.

Nakabo is now eyeing the WFM title. Ranked 1581 worldwide, she needs to get 419 points next season to earn the title.

Kireka Club champions

At the same time, Kireka Club retauined the National Chess League title. They wo the crown for the fourth year running.

The team captain Ivan Kaddu believes they have the capacity to win more more accolades in future.

Kireka beat Lweza 5-0 in the final round of the league to go better than DMark, who have won the title three times.

Hisense reward top players

Early in the year, Hisense Uganda gave away 32 inch television sets to players including Nansubuga and Victor Kanyike who emerged victorious at the inaugural Hisense Junior Chess Championship.

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