Harold Wanyama‘s chances of featuring at this year’s Olympiad ended on Sunday after another forgettable weekend for the Fide Master.
Wanyama after a mediocre start to the Super 14 was faced with a must-win situation over the weekend, but out of the four rounds played, he managed just one win.
The rated 2226 lost to Rajab Kamoga in the ninth round before drawing against FM Patrick Kawuma and International Master Elijah Emojong.
The results left him eighth in the table standings with 6 points, and with no chance of making the top five.
This will be the first time Wanyama misses out on the Olympiad since his first appearance in 2008. The No.2 seed in East Africa has played in eight consecutive Olympiads for Uganda since his national team debut sixteen years ago.
The knife has not condemned only Wanyama. Emojong, another big gun is on the same boat. The IM ended the weekend games placed 7th with 6.5 points, that’s 1.5 points below sixth placed CM Emmanuel Egesa, and like Wanyama, with no chance of finishing in the top five.
While the fate of the two has been decided, the top five are yet to be known. IM Arthur Ssegwanyi despite losing the 11th round to FM Haruna Nsubuga leads the standings with 10.5 points, and is the champion in waiting, but the remaining four positions are yet to be decided.
Tournament prodigy Mark Nyola Wasswa currently sits second with 8.5 points; he is followed by FM Haruna Nsubuga, FM Patrick Kawuma, Rajab Kamoga and Egesa, but the five are separated by just half a point.
Only four slots are up for grabs, and each one of the five can make the team.
The final round that will be played on Saturday 2nd March will have the five in must win situations against their rivals.
Ladies Section Almost Set
Unlike the Open category, the Ladies section is all but decided. Table leader Patricia Kawuma, Shakira Ampaire and Sana Omprakash Kayyar all have the same number of points (9.5). The three have safely secured their Olympiad slots so is Peninah Nakabo who is placed 4th with 9 points.
Only one place is yet to be decided and it will be taken by either WFM Ivy Amoko or Takali Milly. The two each have 7.5 points heading into the final round.
Amoko is regarded as the greatest female chess player in Uganda, but she has not played at the Olympiad since 2014 majorly due to other commitments.
Takali on the other hand made her Olympiad debut in 2022 in Chennai, India. Both players will be eager to make a return to the biggest chess event.
While the top four positions have been decided, the champion unlike in the Men’s section is yet to be known.
Each one of the four has an opportunity to be crowned the champion on Saturday so there’s still a lot to play for in this section as well.
Courtesy Photos
