KAMPALA – The 2019 Rwabushenyi Memorial Open Chess Championship commenced on Thursday at Nob View Hotel, Ntinda with no major upsets witnessed.
Routine wins for title contenders were registered. Defending champion FM Patrick Kawuma faced no resistance in dispatching Janice Namiiro Mubiru and Jonah Byaruhanga in the first two rounds played.
While IM Elijah Emojong made no appearance– handing his first two opponents byes–, fellow IM Arthur Ssegwanyi playing on board one easily downed his opponents of the day.
Board four had FM Haruna Nsubuga face a tricky opposition in veteran Joseph Kaamu in the second round, but Nsubuga who’s hoping to win his maiden Rwabushenyi came out tops to secure a perfect start.
There was an interesting encounter on board six with 12-year-old Edwin Pido (playing Black) hardening things for former Olympian CM Bob Bibasa, but Bibasa was able to apply his rich experience eventually overcoming the junior.
WFM Penninah Nakabo and WFM Goretti Angolikin both suffered their first losses following defeats to Kenyans CM Ben Magana and Peter Gilruth. The two Woman Fide Masters had recorded victories in their opening rounds, but couldn’t match the Kenyans.
Action continues tomorrow with Ssegwanyi facing Emmanuel Egesa and Kawuma taking on Innocent Kimera. Richard Kato will play Black against Nsubuga on board three in the third round.
A mouthwatering clash is expected to happen on board seven where Simon Gonza meets Caxton Kalule. The two have some things in common and are outspoken individuals, but the board will do the talking this time as they face off in the third round.
