Kireka Open Chess Championship is one of the flagship events of Kireka Chess Club. It has been happening annually towards the end of each year since the year of our Lord 2016. It is one of the most contested and anticipated tournament across the East Africa region. It features the open category, ladies category and juniors category.
The inaugural edition was held in 2016 with a host of big name players such as IM Ssegwanyi Arthur, FM Wanyama Harold, FM Kawuma Patrick, FM Haruna Nsubuga, CM Magana Benjamin and veterans like Nsubuga Grace Daniel, Barumba Enoch, Ssentongo Edward and Bibasa Bob. IM Ssegwanyi Arthur won the tournament on tiebreak with a score of 7 points out of 8 games after he tied for first place with FM Haruna Nsubuga. The tournament also witnessed the rise of young upcoming players such as Basangwa Johnson who came in 4th place and Ngabijainitho Peter Jaker. The ladies category was contested by Uganda’s leading female players such as WFMs Amoko Ivy, Namaganda Christine and Angoilikin Goretti among others. Top seed Amoko Ivy obliterated the field with a record setting and stunning score of 7.5 points out of 8 games, 1 point clear of the rest of the pack.
The 2017 edition was contested by all the top players in Uganda and could easily go down as the strongest local tournament ever played on Uganda soil. This time FM Wanyama Harold emerged victorious in the open section with a score of 7.5 points out of 8 games while WFM Amoko Ivy defended her title with relative ease with a score of 5.5 points out of 8 games. This edition also saw the rise of youngster Matovu Abel to the limelight and Kafuko Paul. The edition also featured an U1600 category which was won by Serwada jimmy on tiebreak after he tied for first with Mpalanyi Isaac and Wagaba gift. This edition is also famous for Isiko Simon Patrick’s immortal game against Waira Ibrahim where he unleashed a knight sacrifice on f6 on move 21 before ripping apart Waira’s position into a mating net. A summary of the results can be found here Link
The 2018 edition was as usual hotly contested. This time Lubega Solomon took the honors on tiebreak with a score of 7 points after tying for first place with IM Emojong Elijah. WFM Angoilikin Goretti took first place in the ladies category with a score of 5.5 points. The edition saw the gradual rise of Kafuko Paul who tied for third place. It also announced the entry of Takali Milly on the chess scene after she came second in the ladies category. The unrated section was won by Ssemanda Kevin with 9 points two and a half points ahead of the chasing pack. A summary of the results can be found here Link
