The Uganda National Juniors Chess Championship 2025 kicked off on Thursday, January 16th, at the Nob View Hotel in Ntinda. This four-day event features both the Open and Girls categories, with the Open category currently underway.
Defending champion, Mwase Matthew is once again vying for the title. The tournament, organized by the Uganda Chess Federation with support from various chess academies and schools, boasts a remarkable turnout. A total of 324 young chess players are participating, with 207 in the Open category and 117 in the Girls category.
The tournament reached a thrilling climax as the final round approached. Defending champion, Matthew faced unexpected challenges and was eliminated from contention. This opened the door for his brother, Arthur, and a new contender, Jovan, to battle it out for the coveted title of Junior Champion 2025.
Meanwhile, in the Girls category, Sana maintained a commanding lead. With only a draw needed in the final round, she was poised to secure her position as the sole champion of the Girls’ section. She managed to take the last win from Michelle making her the sole winner of the girl’s section.
Below is the game that brought Pido Edwin to the podium and would get into the 3rd spot after the draw from board 1.
In the Open section, the leaders were;
- Kasozi Jovan 7 pts
- Mwase Arthur 7 pts
- Pido Edwin 7 pts
In the Ladies section, the leaders were;
- Sana Omprakash Kayyar 7.5 pts
- Kawuma Patricia 7 pts
- Zuri Tatiina 6.5 pts
The 2025 National Juniors’ Champion, Kasozi Jovan speaking to the press after his win.
The Winners: Pido Edwin, Kawuma Patricia, Sana Omprakash Kayyar, Kasozi Jovan, Mwase Arthur, Zuri Tatiina (Left to Right)
Uganda’s chess scene is experiencing a surge in young talent, with promising juniors demonstrating exceptional skills and dedication. The recent Uganda National Juniors Chess Championship showcased the depth of talent within the country, leaving no doubt that the future of Ugandan chess is bright.
However, nurturing this young talent requires a concerted effort from various stakeholders.
