On a day when Easter meant more than celebration, it meant strategy, courage and dreams, SOM Chess Academy was the place to be.
Easter Monday turned into a grand showdown of wits as the 2nd Edition of the SOM Easter Open Chess Championship came to a dramatic and heartwarming conclusion.
From rising juniors to seasoned champions, the tournament proved once again that in chess, age is just a number.
The three-day chess fest saw young prodigies locking horns with veterans on equal footing. Whether it was a game stretched across intense, thoughtful minutes or a nail-biting blitz match played in just five to ten minutes, the SOM Open was electric from start to finish. And it wasn’t just about winning; it was about passion, learning, and community.
In the Ladies’ category, the crown went to WCM, Ndirangu Joyce Nyaruai from Nairobi, Kenya, who outplayed the rest to claim the top spot with poise and power.
“I’m so happy to be participating in the SOM Festival Championship. I am glad to have won,” she shared with a bright smile after the games.
It wasn’t just skill, it was also the atmosphere that inspired her:
“The competition went quite well. Especially the juniors, I don’t know what you guys are feeding them. They are unleashing some very crazy moves.”
The full top 5 rankings in the Ladies’ section were:
- Ndirangu Joyce Nyaruai (KEN)
- Asaba Juliet (UGA)
- Nansubuga Gloria (UGA)
- Suhana Anil Yadav (IND)
- Ampaire Shakira (UGA)
The open category saw intense competition between Ugandan and Kenyan players. Nsubuga Harunah of Uganda clinched the top position, followed by Njoroge Martin from Kenya.
The battle was tight, reflecting the high-level chess culture growing steadily in East Africa.
Top 5 Open Rankings:
- Nsubuga Harunah (UGA)
- Njoroge Martin (KEN)
- Nyola Wasswa Mark (UGA)
- Oluka Robert (KEN)
- Wabwire Ronald (UGA)
The tournament also spotlighted special categories, ensuring every level of talent was appreciated and rewarded.
Men
Best Juniors (U20)
- Muhirwa Alvin
Best Differently Abled Player
- Mbaziira Wasswa Sharif
Best ELO U1600
- Namuguzi Godfrey Mwesigwa
Best ELO U1900
- Basangwa Johnson Michael
Ladies
Best Juniors (U20)
- WCM – Kawuma Patricia
Best ELO U1600
- Nabirye Caroline
Best ELO U1900
- WCM – Takali Milly
These categories did more than recognize performance, they encouraged effort, resilience and promise.
A heartening voice behind the scenes was Kavyashree M, Founder of Celestial Minds and Director of the Chess Outreach Program. Her organization sponsored the event with a vision that went beyond trophies.
“I wanted that 200k shillings to be used towards some chess academies, to raise any child who is deserving of education or for the promotion of chess,” she said.
Her mission: to give back and grow the game from the grassroots.
“To put an event like this, it’s not easy. A lot of things have to come in place. I just want to encourage more players and more upcoming talents.”
As the event wrapped up with laughter, applause and heartfelt moments, Ndirangu Joyce made her intentions clear:
“Yes, I want to come back next year take this trophy home, again and again.”
And with her words, the spirit of the SOM Easter Open lives on, a space where talent is nurtured, dreams are played out in sixty-four squares and everyone, no matter their background, has a shot at greatness.
The Top Five winners in the Open Categories were awarded with heavy Cash Prizes, the first taking home One million Ugandan Shillings( 1,000,000 /= UGX), second 750,000 UGX, third 500,000/=, fourth 250,000/= and Fifth 125,000/=.
Special Categories winners were awarded with 100,000/=.
