FM Haruna Nsubuga wins Nairobi Chess Club Championship
FM Haruna Nsubuga of Uganda was crowned the winner of the 60th Nairobi Chess Club Championship. The event ran from 24th to 26th August 2018 at the famed Goan Gymkhana Club in Nairobi.
Poster of the event.
FM Nsubuga beat off a strong challenge from fellow Ugandans and Kenyan chess players. He went home with a top prize of KES 15,000 (USD 150) and a glittering trophy.
The 60th edition of this iconic event was as resounding success with over 95 players taking part in 3 sections. The total prize fund was KES 60,000 (USD 600).
The 8th consecutive edition had 18 players from Uganda. Other countries represented included Tanzania and South Sudan with one player each.
FM Haruna Nsubuga in action.
The event had 3 separate sections with the top section being the Open. Only players rated above 1700 were allowed to play in this section. The U1800 had players rated above 1500 but below 1800 while the U1600 had players who were rated below 1600.
View of the playing hall.
The Open section had an average rating of 1939 making it one of the strongest events in recent years. FM Patrick Kawuma of Uganda who is rated 2340 was the top seed. Other top players included Peter Gilruth, Joseph Methu and James Panchol.
The Open section had 22 players. TheU1800 had a total of 19 players while the U1600 section had 57 players.
Geoffrey Dokoria of Kenya was the winner in the U1800 with 5.5 points out of 6 games. He went home with the top prize of KES 7,500 (USD 75).
Chief Arbiter Duke Michieka (left) presents the winning trophy to Geoffrey Dokoria for winning the U1800 section.
John Vianney Mukalazi of Uganda was the winner in the U1600 section. He tied with Anthony Kionga who had the same points but who had a lower tie break. They shared 1st and 2nd place to each go home with KES 4,250.
Chief Arbiter Duke Michieka presents John Vianney Muklazi with the winner’s trophy for winning the U1600 section.
The event was sponsored by a number of well wishers and included the following. Aslam Adam (KES 20,000), Rodgers Adai (KES 12,500), James Kirimi (KES 10,000), Benard Wanjala (KES 5,000), Mushfig Habilov (KES 1,500) and Charles Mugwanja (KES 500).
Olympiad bound Kenyan player Ricky Sang in action.
Joseph Methu who will play for Kenya in the Batumi Olympiad ended up with an impressive 4.5 points to end up in joint 2nd place. Ricky Sang who is also in the Olympiad team ended up with 3 out of 6 points despite missing the first two rounds.
CEO Terrian Chess Academy (left) Local GM Brian Kidula presents FM Haruna Nsubuga with the winner’s trophy.
FM Haruna Nsubuga is currently one of Uganda’s top players and has won a number of Kenyan events. These include the 2016 editions of the Equity Open and the 6th Capablanca Cup. See FM Nsubuga wins Equity Open and FM Nsubuga wins 6th Capablanca Cup. He was also invited to Seychelles earlier this year. See FM Haruna Nsubuga in Seychelles.
Photos of Goan Gymkhana. Top left is the building, bottom right is the bar. The bar has some paintings (top right & bottom left) of prominent Goan personalities done by Prakash Pandit. The club was opened on 22nd May 1936.
Players from the event. Top from left – Sanjay Ramesh, Ivan Mugisha, Sumit Deshpande. Bottom from left Edwin Odhiambo and Kizito Mubiru.
Full list of winners is shown below;
Open Section
Winner – FM Haruna Nsubuga 5.5 points – KES 15,000
Joint Runners Up – Mike Akabo, Joseph Methu, FM Patrick Kawuma all with 4.5 points with each getting KES 3,666.
Best U2000 – Jackson Kamau with 4.5 points who got KES 2,500
Best U1900 – Kimani Kimingi with 3.5 points who got KES 2,500.
U1800
Winner – Geoffrey Dokoria with 5.5 points who got KES 7,500
Joint Runners Up – Francis Michuki & Mark Munyi with 4.5 points who each got KES 3,250.
Best U1700 – Ronald Bolo with 4 points who got KES 1,500
Best U1600 – Mushfig Habilov with 4 points who got KES 1,500
U1600
Winner – John Mukalazi with 5.5 points who got KES 4,250.
Runners Up – Anthony Kionga who got 5.5 points who got KES 4,250.
Joint 2nd Runners Up – Meerabbas Afzali, Easter Awinja & Sumit Deshpande who got 5 points and who each got KES 1,000.
Best Unrated player – Edwin Odhiambo.
