Ugandan chess moneybags Kireka Chess Club have confirmed dates and venue for their Championship, Kireka Open.
The fourth edition of the rated event will commence on Friday, 27th December and end on Monday, 30th.
Over 200 players both in the senior and junior sections are expected to take part in this year ending tourney.
Like the recently concluded Rwabushenyi Memorial, Kireka Open will act as a qualifier for next year’s Olympiad set to take place in the Russian city of Khanty- Mansiysk so a lot will be at stake when players take to board.
Last year, a rare name emerged victor when Solomon Lubega won the championship. It is not that Lubega is new to the chess scene or that he is a weak player, but the rated 2128 hardly makes podium finishes.
Although he’d shown signs of a top-three finish many a time, it came as a surprise when he beat IM Elijah Emojong, FM Haruna Nsubuga, Walter Okas and the then-defending champion FM Harold Wanyama to the championship.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi and FM Patrick Kawuma didn’t take part in last year’s edition, but are expected to compete in this one. The two were separated by just half a point at the just concluded Rwabushenyi Memorial that the former won.
The sum of 5m (UGX) has been put aside for winners with the winner in the Open category set to walk away with 1m.
