80 players grace Som Open Easter Chess Championships

The Som Open Easter Chess Championships kicked off with a bang, drawing an impressive turnout of over 80 skilled players from diverse corners of the globe including Kenya, Rwanda, USA, South Sudan, and the hosts, Uganda.

Spearheaded by the Som Chess Academy, this exciting three-day tournament is currently underway at the illustrious Som Chess Academy home nestled in the heart of Makindye.

Robert Katende, the proprietor of Som Chess Academy, emphasized the importance of this championship in honing the skills of athletes gearing up for various international competitions.

"We have players who are preparing to compete in the World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, this coming September. Through the rich experiences gained in this tournament, I am confident that it will serve as a vessel for our representatives in Hungary, enabling them to refine their strategies and rectify any shortcomings before the global stage," said Katende.

A player plotting a move

Envisioned as an annual spectacle, the organizers harbor high hopes that this championship will serve as a pivotal platform for players to gauge their prowess against international contenders.

Commencing on March 29, the event is slated to culminate on Monday, April 1, with triumphant winners set to be rewarded with cash prizes.

In a gesture of equality and recognition of skill, both male and female champions will be accorded equal standing in terms of prize money: sh1m for the top spot, sh750,000 for the second position, sh500,000 for the third position, sh250,000 for the fourth position, and sh125,000 for the fifth position.