The inaugural Entebbe Rapid Chess tournament was successfully completed at Coin Worth supermarket restaurant in Kitala, along Kampala – Entebbe road on Saturday, 14th December 2024.
George William Kalugo beat 27 other players to win the 8-round event with a total of 7.5 points.
Kalugo was half a point better than Edwin Pido as Isaac Eculo completed with 6 points.
Shaphan Friday Mugabe (5.5), Joel Mwebaze (5), Lovelle Kimara Odong (5), Denis Ojhara Kilama (5) and Vincent Mugisha (5) followed suit in the respective positions.
One key take home from this tournament was the continued impact that 12-year-old Mary Lauryn Katongole has had in the game.
Having featured in her fifth chess tournament since making her debut early this year, Katongole has kept improving.
The P7 vacist has manifested sheer grasp of the game with bold opening moves as she executes odd attacking and defensive moves.
At the Entebbe rapid championship, Katongole fetched three points, following three solid victories.
“The tournament was a good one and I learnt a lot after facing good players who have played the game for a long time. I learnt from them” Katongole stated.
Her opening round was against a far experienced Kalugo, the eventual winner of the tourney.
During round two and three, she narrowly fell to two another older players Jotham Mwangusha and Great Tumwebaze respectively.
The first victory came in the fourth round against Sheena Namuddu, also watched by the father and elder sister.
Katongole’s second win arrived in fashion in round six over Abigail Ayebare Barungi, climbing the queue on the competitive radar to two points.
In the seventh round, she lost to Brian Mulungi and made quick amends for the third win over an U-10 player Azaria Barungi Ahabwe.
This tournament was a great preparatory platform for Katongole as he readies self for the forthcoming 2025 national junior championship (16th to 19th January).
“I will continue practicing ahead of the national juniors in January 2025” she vowed.
The national juniors’ chess championship is a FIDE rated tournament organized by the Uganda Chess Federation.
Profile:
- Full Names: Lauryn Mary Katongole
- Nick-name: Gwintol
- Date of Birth: 28th August 2012
- Residence: Kitende, Entebbe road
- Parents: Shemie Kizza Katongole (Father) & Alice Tusabe Nassolo
- Education: Kids Pioneer Junior School (Currently in P7 vacation)
- Favourite game: Chess
- Current club: Pioneer Knights
- Favourite move: e4
- Inspired by: Calvin Peter Kayiwa, Cedric Mutebi, Helen Naija and Tisha Kaddu (her friends); Vicent Mugisa (coach)
- Dream: To become the best chess female player in Uganda, East Africa, Africa and the world
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