Kasozi shines at National Junior Chess Championships

The 2024 National Junior Chess Championships concluded over the weekend at Nob View Hotel, Ntinda, after four days of intense competition.

The tournament brought together 324 of Uganda’s best young chess players, all vying for podium finishes and coveted qualification spots for international events.

Kasozi Jovan emerged victorious in the open category with an impressive 7/8 points, solidifying his position as one of Uganda’s top young chess players.

His journey to the top included a key victory over defending champion Mwase Mathew in the second-to-last round and a draw against Mwase Arthur in the final round.

Mwase Arthur secured second place with 7/8 points, only separated by tiebreak, demonstrating remarkable consistency with his third consecutive podium finish.

Pido Edwin finished third, also with 7/8 points, rounding out the top performers in the open category.

In the girls’ section, WFM Sana Omprakash clinched the title, followed by defending champion Kawuma Patricia and Zuri Tatiina in second and third place, respectively.

The competition highlighted the growing strength and depth of girls’ chess in the country.

The tournament’s results will have a significant impact on Uganda’s representation in international competitions.

The top six players in every age group (U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18) in both the open and girls’ categories qualified to represent Uganda in several prestigious international tournaments, including the 2025 African Youth Chess Championships, FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships, and FIDE World Youth Chess Championships.

Additionally, players in younger age groups (U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17) earned spots in the African School Chess Championships and FIDE World Schools Chess Championships.

Top three winners in the U20 category qualified as official players for the 2025 African Juniors Chess Championships and the 2025 FIDE World Junior Chess Championships.

The national coach also praised the promising state of junior chess in Uganda, singling out 10-year-old Wabwire for his exceptional performance.

Despite his young age, Wabwire lost only one game (to Mwase Arthur) and held Kasozi Jovan to a draw, signaling a bright future for the young talent.

With standout performances from established players like Kasozi Jovan and emerging stars like Wabwire, Uganda’s chess future looks brighter than ever.

This year’s National Junior Chess Championships demonstrated Uganda’s dedication to nurturing young chess talent.