Day one of the Mombasa Open Chess Championship ended with ten Ugandans prevailing in their opening two rounds.
Allan Mathias Ssonko, ACM Ezekiel Matsiko, CM Farouk Fauza Kizza, Ivan Mugisha, Ivan Sseguya and Joshua Mukisa all won their opening two rounds in the Open section comfortably.
FM Harold Wanyama won his second round, but he also counts two wins after his round one opponent James Bedell from Liberia forfeited their game.
In the Ladies section, the trio of Sheba Valentine Naisanga, Esther Sandra Nalunga and WFM Gloria Nansubuga out competed their opponents in both their respective opening rounds.
Abdul Shakur Wagodo was the only Ugandan to lose both games on Friday.
Wagodo will face Daniel Yego-who also lost both games- in the third round hoping to bounce back from those defeats.
Wanyama still on board one will face Hillary Swagwa in the third round while on board two, the table leader Ssonko will pit wits against Timothy Mwabu.
On board five, Masiko will be faced by Joseph Methu Muragu, a player rated higher than the Ugandan.
In the Ladies category, Naisanga has been pitted against WCM Joyce Nyaruai, the defending champion. The two will meet on board one in the third round.
Courtesy Photos
