The 2018 KCB Chess Open Championship has attracted record FIDE stars from different countries. The event will be officially opened on Friday 30th March 2018 by KCB Group HR Director Paul Russo followed by 2 rounds of play.
Addressing the press on Wednesday in Nairobi, KCB Group HR Director Paul Russo said that, "over 400 participants are expected to grace the four-day event. The KCB Chess open will be played for 7 rounds with two rounds each day."
“There will be six categories during the tournament that will feature prestige, open, ladies, junior U -10, U -12 and U -18,” said Russo.
“The Prestige category has attracted total prize purse of Shs 200,000 while the winner of open and lady’s category will take home Shs 50,000 each,” he added
Uganda will be represented by twenty-five players during the tournament. They include Women Candidate Master Ivy Amoko, Fide Master Patrick Kawuma, Elijah Emojong, International Master Arthur Ssegwanyi, Harold Wanyama and Harun Nsubuga among other players.
KCB Chess open of the tournament includes Russian- born Dutch GM Sergei Tiviakov and Nigeria’s Adu Odalapo.
Kenya will be represented by national Blitz Champion Joseph Methu, National Kenya Open Champions Ben Nguku, National Champion Ben Maghana, Mehul Gohil, Angolikin Goreti and Gloria Jumba who finished 3rd during the chess Olympiad in Georgia Russia.
South Sudan will be represented by 22-year-old James Panchol during the event.
The KCB Kenya Open Chess Championship prestige category has attracted Uganda’s top-ranked Ssonko Mathias Allan and 53-year-old Obita Francis who is ranked 3rd in Uganda. The event will run until Monday 2nd April 2018.