Strong Kenyan contingent to fight for Ksh500,000 at Kireka Open Chess Championships
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 26.12.24. | 12:10
Organizers have laid out an impressive Ksh500,000 for the winners in both the open and ladies' categories
A total of 26 Kenyan players have registered to take part in this year’s Kireka Open Chess Championships set to be held from Saturday 28 to Tuesday 31 December at Sports View Hotel in Kampala.
Organizers have laid out an impressive Ksh500,000 for the winners in both the open and ladies' categories.
There are also prizes for winners in the under-1900, under-1800 and under-1600 categories where winners will receive Ksh3,000 each.
Equity Bank’s Sasha Mwongeli who recently defended her Kenya women's national title is among the top ladies who have registered for the four-day event.
Uganda’s Penina Nakubo is the highest rated player in the ladies category with a rating of 1886. Another Ugandan Ampaira Shakira rated 1837 is the second strongest player in the women's category.
Former national women champion Joyce Nyaruai from KCB is the highest-rated Kenyan in the ladies category (1817).
Other top Kenyans who have registered in the event's ladies category include Julie Mutisya who recently finished third at the Kenya National Chess Championships, Nicole Albright and former under-10 African champion Winnie Kaburo.
In the men’s category, Kenya has equally entered a strong field. Hawi Kaloki leads the Kenyan contingent and is the highest-rated Kenyan with a rating of 2002. The Tindi brothers from Kisumu Liam and Victor have also registered to take part.
African under-8 silver medalist Nathaniel Manyeki is also in Uganda hoping to improve his ratings after a not-so-impressive performance at the national chess championships held last week.
Uganda’s International Master (IM) Arthur Ssengwanyi is the tournament’s highest-rated player at 2334.
Defending champion Gong Thon Gong from South Sudan has also registered to take part in the four-day event and will be hoping to win it again.
The winner of the Open category will pocket Ksh75,000 with the runners-up getting Ksh50,000 and the one who finishes third walking away with Ksh30,000. The winner of the women's category will earn Ksh50,000.
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