THE long wait for a maiden <i>New Vision </i>national chess title finally ended on Sunday for Stephen Kawuma.
By William Muwonge
THE long wait for a maiden New Vision national chess title finally ended on Sunday for Stephen Kawuma.
Kawuma, 23, won Uganda’s toughest and most lucrative chess event after nine years of trying. His best finish before was third overall in 2001 and 1998.
Kawuma grabbed the one major title lacking in his collection by winning seven games and drawing one. He edged out elder brother Moses Kawuma in a key eighth-round game.
“It is a great feeling to win, I have waited for this moment for long,†Kawuma said.
The former Olympian walked away with sh0.77m after the sh5m four-day event at Ramgarhia Sikh Sports Club.
Kawuma’s young brother Meddie,13, grabbed the U-15 boy’s title.
Juliet Nakandi retained the women’s crown while Kathy Kenyange took the U-15 girl’s award.
Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) patron, IGG Jotham Tumwesigye crowned the top performers.