FM Haruna Nsubuga cruised to a comfortable win at the 2021 Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Championship with 7 points out of 8 rounds. He was undefeated and drew only two games to grab his maiden title in this historic and long-running event.
Interestingly, in round five, he defeated Uganda’s top player IM Arthur Ssegwanyi who is rated 2409, while FM Nsubuga is rated 2099.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi and Julius Ssali also ended up with 7 points in the 2nd and 3rd place respectively due to the tie-breaks.
FM Patrick Kawuma, the second-seeded player, ended with 6 points in joint 4th place or 10th in the ranking. IM Elijah Emojong scored 5.5 points in joint 5th place or 15th in the ranking.
Philip Mwashe of Lighthouse Chess Club was one of the 4 Kenyans who took part in the event. He ended up with a respectable 5 points.
The eight round tournament ran from 2nd to 5th December 2021. The event was the first Grand Prix event to select the team for the 2022 Moscow Olympiad.
The other Grand Prix events include the Kireka Open (December 2021), Kantinti Memorial (February 2022), Zabassajja Memorial (March 2022) and the Uganda Open (April 2022).
The Uganda Chess Federation is the organiser with sponsorship from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
The tournament is held every year in honor of Cyril Rwabushenyi, a former director of the UCAA. He was also a founding member and former Chairman of the Uganda Chess Federation.
Past winners of this prestigious and iconic event include the following;
2020 – Event not held due to Covid.
2019 – IM Arthur Ssegwanyi
2018 – FM Patrick Kawuma
2017 – FM Patrick Kawuma (Open section) & WFM Goretti Angolikin (Ladies section).
2016 – event was not held.
2015 – IM Arthur Ssegwanyi with 7.5 points. Event held on 5th/6th/12th & 13th December 2015.
2014 – FM Harold Wanyama with 7 points. Event held in early January 2015.
2011 – FM Harold Wanyama.
2010 – IM Elijah Emojong with 7 points & Phiona Mutesi winner of Ladies section.
2008 – FM Harold Wanyama.
2021 Rwashbushenyi Memorial Chess Championship on chess-results.com.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi wins 2019 Rwabushenyi Open.
Standings & Results of 2019 Rwabushenyi Open.
FM Patrick Kawuma wins 2018 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
Patrick Kawuma wins 2017 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
IM Arthur Ssegwanyi wins 2015 Rwabushenyi Memorial.
FM Harold Wanyama wins 2015 Rwabushenyi Open – reporting by www.chessdrum.net
FM Harold Wanyama wins 2011 Rwabushenyi Open report by www.kawono.com
