Kenya, Uganda renew rivalry at Scottish Tartan Open
What you need to know:
- Last year’s winner Ben Magana has cast doubt on whether he will defend his open crown citing personal reasons.
- Only Nsubuga will take part in this year’s event while the others are ineligible to take part in the event due to their world ranking of above 2200.
- Clubs will also use the event as part of their preparations for the league which gets underway on July 5 at the KCB Sports ground in Ruaraka.
Kenya and Uganda chess players will renew their rivalry at the second edition of the Scottish Tartan Open chess tournament which gets underway on Saturday in Kisumu.
The two day FIDE-rated event will be played over six rounds with organisers expecting over 100 players.
The event will have four categories: open, ladies, challengers and juniors’ category with the top three finishers set to be awarded with cash prizes, trophies and medals.
Last year’s winner Ben Magana has cast doubt on whether he will defend his open crown citing personal reasons.
“I am mentally unsettled, but there’s a 70 percent chance I will at least grace the occasion. If for no other purpose, then to give my compatriots confidence against the Ugandans,” the KCB Chess Club skipper and former national champion told Daily Nation Sport.
Magana saw off the challenge of Ugandan players led by International Master (IM) Elijah Emojong, Fide Master (FM) Harold Wanyama, FM Arthur Ssegwanyi, Candidate Master (CM) Patrick Kawuma, CM Haruna Nsubuga and veteran CM Bob Bibasa to claim the inaugural title.
Only Nsubuga will take part in this year’s event while the others are ineligible to take part in the event due to their world ranking of above 2200.
Nsubuga is one of 10 Ugandans who have so far confirmed participation to the event. Ten 10 Eritrea nationals are also expected to take part in the competition in the lakeside town.
DESHPANDE, AMOKO RENEW RIVALRY
In the absence of Magana, Kenya’s chances of retaining the title will be shouldered by Chess Kenya chairman, Githinji Hinga, FM Steve Ouma, CM Kenneth Omolo, Joseph Atwoli, Woman Fide Master (WFM) Rose Wabuti, Daphne Mwikali, Gweyani Jumba and Sanjana Deshpande, all of whom have represented the country at international events.
Deshpande will also renew her rivalry with Uganda’s WFM Ivy Amoko, who will be defending her ladies crown in Kisumu. Amoko, one of (BY1) East Africa’s most decorated female players, recently signed for national league champions KCB from rivals Equity Bank chess club.
“She (Amoko) is a very talented player who I look up to but I am aiming to upset her and win the title this weekend,” a confident Deshpande said.
Clubs will also use the event as part of their preparations for the league which gets underway on July 5 at the KCB Sports ground in Ruaraka.
