24-year-old Gong Thong Gong from South Sudan emerged the winner of the Kantinti Memorial Open Chess Championship after an impeccable performance at the inaugural event.

The last time a none Ugandan won a tournament in Uganda was in 2013 when Kenyan Brian Kidula lifted the Kawuma Open, but Gong was in no forgiving mood as he emerged champion.

The rated 2183 drew with FM Patrick Kawuma in the final round to ensure he caps his stellar performance with the trophy.

Gong finished with 7.5 points from the possible eight. He won seven games, and only drew the last round.

Kawuma, FM Harold Wanyama, IM Elijah Emojong, FM Haruna Nsubuga, the pre tournament favourites finished outside the top three.

The aforementioned came fifth, fourth, 20th and 28th respectively.

In the Women’s section, 17-year-old Patricia Kawuma won the championship. Kawuma who earned her national team debut last year at the World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India garnered 5.5 points, beating the No.1 seed in East Africa, Peninah Nakabo to the gong.

Nakabo settled for the second position with 5 points while exciting youngsters WCM Maria Nakanyike and WFM Gloria Nansubuga came 4th and 5th respectively.

Abdulkadir Mohammed Warsame was the champion in the U190 category. The Somalian finished with 6.5 points and overall, came 6th.

Ivan Mugisha Jalagatha and Abdul Shakur Wagodo came 2nd and 3rd respectively.