Fide Master Haruna Nsubuga powered himself to his maiden Zabasajja Memorial Open Chess Championship title on Sunday after going unbeaten at the tournament that was held at Nob View Hotel in Ntinda.

Unlike the previous edition that was devoid of quality, this edition lined up the very best from the region. International Master Arthur Ssegwanyi- the top rated player in East Africa, FM Harold Wanyama, IM Elijah Emojong, FM Patrick Kawuma, South Sudan’s Gong Thon Gong and his compatriot Peter Majur Manyang all turned up for the party.

But Nsubuga owned the show. He was streets ahead of everyone else on his way to triumph.

Only Wanyama escaped a beating from the rated 2079 who up until the final round, had won all his games. Ssegwanyi, Manyang all tested Nsubuga’s wrath.

After overcoming the hardest of hurdles in the sixth round when he beat Ssegwanyi, Nsubuga approached the last round as the only player with a perfect 7/7, but he drew against Wanyama as he finished with 7.5 points.

He missed out on this title last year by just a tiebreaker, but he ensured nothing of sort happens this time. He won by a difference of half a point.

Ssegwanyi came second with 7 points while Gong completed the podium positions with 6.5 points.

Rajab Kamogo who won this tournament last year finished 15th with just 5.5 points same as Emojong who finished two places higher.

Wanyama meanwhile missed out on a podium finish by a whisker as he finished 5th with 6.5 points.

In the Ladies category, Sana Omprakash Kayyar sealed it with 6.5 points. She lost one round and drew as many, but her performance was just enough to earn her the first position.

Shakira Ampaire came second also with 6.5 points while Mary Kevin Ndagire came third with 6.

In the Juniors category, Jair Jason Muwanguzi won it with 6 points. Madiba Rugunda with 5 points and Enock Kisaake with the same came second and third respectively.