Barely a week since their return from the Kenya Open Chess Championship in Nairobi, local chess players are getting set for the Isiiko Mohammed Memorial Rapid Chess Tournament set to get underway on Saturday April 15 at the Gloria’s Garden in Namugongo.
The tournament is a tribute to the late Isiiko Mohammed, a former Gambit chess club player who tragically passed away last year in April in a traffic accident.
In his memory, over 60 players have confirmed participation and the tournament will be headlined by Fide Master Harold Wanyama who is fresh from winning over UGX 7milion for his display in the Kenya Open.
FM Walter Okas, Rajab Kamoga, Farouk Fauza Kizza, CM Egesa Emmanuel and Peter Majur Manyang from South Sudan are some of the big names set to take part.
“He was a chess player and coach who was hard working,” Isaac Munanira, Isiiko’s teammate at Gambit and one of the tournament organizers paid homage.
“The tournament is to give back to the chess community while remembering him. It is also a way to promote chess on behalf of Gambit chess club.”
Gambit are the chief organizers of the tourney, but have partnered with local governing body, Uganda Chess Federation who have provided the clocks and boards for the event.
Trueline Africa limited, a local transport and logistics company are the other sponsors of the event. They bring to the table a total of UGX 2millions as part of prize money.
FM Patrick Kawuma from Kireka Chess club and Dr. Albert Otete from Soroti chess club are the other sponsors.
