Andolo Is King

Jul 16, 2002

KENYAN chess players have finally hit back.

By William Muwonge Leading resultsMen H. Andolo 8 pointsJ. Serwadda 8 B. Bibasa 7.5 S. Kantinti 7.5S. Kawuma 7.5 I. Wanderema 7.5 G. Luberenga 7.5Women J. Nakandi 7 pointsC. Namutebi 5I. Nakamya 5R. Nalubega 4.5U-15 Boys’ M. Kawuma 6 pointsS. Mutebi 5 J. Turinawe 3A. Kitubi 3I. Iga 3U-15 Girls’ C. Kenyange 3 J. Kemirembe 2 P. Murari 1 KENYAN chess players have finally hit back.After nearly a decade in which Ugandans dominated most East African championships, speed chess master Humphrey Andolo struck back with a shock win in Kampala. Andolo ended Kenya’s losing streak against the Ugandans by taking the New Vision Rapid championship title on Sunday. Three-time Olympian Andolo, the first Kenyan to win the event, took over from last year’s winner Bob Bibasa. The 32 year-old Kenyan won the 10-round swiss event on tie break having gone level at 8 points with Uganda’s less experienced Joseph Serwadda. The win was a satisfying triumph for the Kenyans who have struggled to match the ever emerging young chess talent from Uganda. Just two months ago, Bibasa led his countrymen to a clean sweep of the regional championship in Nairobi. The Inspector General of Government Jotham Tumwesigye closed the two-day competition sponsored by Uganda’s leading daily, The New Vision. The New Vision managing director and editor-in-chief William Pike was also in attendance. Tumwesigye supported a proposal by Pike to turn the annual event into an East African Championship. The IGG, also Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) patron, called for increased participation of girls in competitive chess. The five-man Kenyan team at the event, led by Isaac Babu, welcomed the idea of an East African tournament. Andolo and Serwadda won their last round games to draw level at 8 points. Champion Andolo beat seasoned player Shadrack Kantinti who, at 7.5 points, went into the decisive round needing a win. “I think I was lucky, I did not face many of the local big guns,” Andolo said. “I respect Ugandan players, they are good particularly in long games. We have lost to them many times in the past,” Andolo said as he celebrated at Nakawa.The Kenyan won eight games and lost two games against skilled players Stephen Kisuze and former junior champion Stephen Kawuma. Juliet Nakandi, a Makerere University student and Cathy Kenyange from Nabisunsa girls schools retained the ladies and U-15 girls’ titles without losing a single game. Medi Kawuma, pupil of Bat Valley primary school, took the U-15 boy’s crown.Ends

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