The 2023 edition of the Kireka Open Chess Championship got underway on Thursday 28th at the Nob View Hotel in Ntinda.
The event will run for four days and is one of the Grand Prix circuit events that contribute points towards the qualification of the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary and the 2024 ALL Africa Games in Accra, Ghana.
As always, the Kireka Open has two major sections; the Open and Ladies section. However, the Junior section has also not been left out and it will take place on Friday, 29th in a rapid format.
It will comprise of six categories including U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18 both boys and girls.
Like the top three in the Open, Women’s, Seniors 50+, and the Differently Abled Persons, the Juniors will also recieve awards.
There will also be a Brilliance Award that will be awarded to the player with the best game at the tournament.
Awards will not be the only rewards scooped here! Elos will also be awarded to the U1900, U1800, and U1600 sections and as the last Gran Prix of the year, the top 20 will gain points.
The tournament is open to all players with a FIDE ID and will be run according to the Swiss pairing system over a total of 8 rounds. The Baku acceleration system shall be used for pairings of all rounds.
International Master Arthur Ssegwanyi is the defending champion of this competition while Penninah Nakabo is the defending champion in the Ladies section.
Heading into the tournament, Rajab Kamoga, FM Harold Wanyama, FM Patrick Kawuma, Abdul Shakur Wagodo and CM Emmanuel Egesa lead the Grand Prix standings in the Open section while Patricia Kawuma, Milly Takali, Safinah Mugide, Penninah Nakabo and Hannah Zion Mawejje are the top five in the Ladies.
In the Seniors section, Joseph Kaamu, Jeffrey Kikabi, Enoch Epuku, Grace Daniel Nsubuga and George William Ssenyomo are in the lead.
Courtesy Photos
