Ugandan maestro Samuel Were outwits all to win Bungoma Open Chess title

Ugandan chess maestro Samuel Were emerged the champion in the 2024 Bungoma Open Chess Championship held at the weekend in Bungoma.

He claimed the honours in the Open Section with a perfect score of 6/6, fending off talented junior Agoot Abuk in a gripping endgame battle.

Despite being down a queen, Were’s sharp tactical play and relentless pawn pushes forced Abuk to sacrifice his rook, securing the win and the title.

Pre-tournament favorite, Patrick Kawuma of Uganda, faced resistance in his campaign, drawing his match against Abuk, which did not affect Were’s perfect run.

In the Ladies’ category, Kenya’s Jully Mutisya, representing Equity Bank, lived up to her top-seed status.

She clinched the title with 5/6 points despite a surprising upset in an earlier round. Mutisya's vast experience, having been part of Kenya’s chess team, proved invaluable as she powered through the competition to take the crown.

Equity Chess Club emerged as the best club of the tournament, demonstrating the strength and depth of their players.

The event, which drew 150 participants, was the final open tournament of the year and set the stage for the upcoming National Chess Championship, scheduled for December 11–15, 2024, at Makini School in Nairobi.

The tourney attracted top talents from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Algeria, and South Sudan.

Chess Kenya President Benard Wanjala has in the meantime emphasized the importance of support for chess, urging county governments to recognize it as a legitimate sport.

He said: "Chess is as much a sport as any other, and it deserves the same level of support. I urge county governments to invest in and promote chess to help it grow and thrive."

Were’s victory dethroned Kenya’s defending champion, Mehul Gohil, who had dominated the event in previous years.