Uganda’s chances of flying back with a medal or more from the ongoing Kenya Chess Open Championship increased thanks to brilliant displays from three male participants.
International Master Arthur Ssegwanyi, Fide Master Haruna Nsubuga, and FM Patrick Kawuma are still flying the Ugandan flag high up at the ongoing Kenya Open Chess Championship in Nairobi.
The three remain the only Ugandans to win all their opening four rounds in the Open category despite facing credible opposition.
Ssegwanyi beat Kenyan Candidate Master Ben Namale in the fourth round while Nsubuga and Kawuma also downed their opponents Samuel Murage and Jeremiah Kagambi respectively, both Kenyans as well.
The three are undoubtedly cruising, but they are now going to be faced with the toughest of tests when they return to the boards.
Tough tasks ahead
Ssegwanyi and Kawuma have been pitted against Grandmasters in the fifth round. The IM has been paired with Azerbaijan seed four GM Safarli Eltaji.
For Kawuma, GM Pavel Ponkratov from Russia is his next opponent. Nsubuga meanwhile will take on IM Samat Aditya from India.
Other Ugandan Representatives
Owing to his frustrating start to the event, FM Harold Wanyama will continue facing lowly-rated players.
Wanyama had been eager to lock horns with Grandmasters at this event, but with his disappointing results thus far, the chance to do that may not come.
In these advanced rounds, the best are pitted against the best, and you can only be grouped as the ‘best’ by winning.
Wanyama has won only two games while losing one and drawing as many which leaves him playing against lowly-rated players.
IM Elijah Emojong is in the same boat as Wanyama, but unlike the latter, Emojong is a steady progress.
The IM lost his second round to Felix Boera, but he won both of his games yesterday. His next opponent is Mugo Wangombe, also from Kenya.
Courtesy Photos
