The National Open Chess Championship, also known as the Super 14, pawns off on Sunday with a highly anticipated clash between Fide Masters Harold Wanyama and Haruna Nsubuga.
The two meet on board three in the opening round of the event in what will be a repeat of their last month’s duel at the Zabasajja Memorial Open Championship.
Nsubuga emerged victorious at the tournament but Wanyama held him to a draw in the final round, the only game the former failed to crack, leaving a score to settle.
The head to head favors Wanyama who is also the better ranked player but against opponents such as Nsubuga, victory is not guaranteed.
Both players are considered Championship favorites, and securing a win in this opening round clash will be crucial.
Nsubuga enters the tournament with impressive form, having won two trophies in 2023, including the Kireka Open in December. He will follow up his round one game against wild card holder Emmanuel Musasizi in the second.
Top-Ranked East African Players Clash
Adding another layer of excitement, Wanyama will also face International Master (IM) Arthur Ssegwanyi, East Africa’s top-ranked player, on the same day.
Though these two haven’t met recently, Wanyama who is ranked second in East Africa and also the national team coach, holds the edge from their last encounter in the 2022 IM Norm Championship.
Meanwhile before his clash against Wanyama, Ssegwanyi will first battle high flying whiz kid Mathew Mwase who is a student of the former and has been tipped to become a household name.
Other Key Matchups
The first round will also witness defending champion FM Patrick Kawuma battling CM Emmanuel Egesa, an emerging sharpy in the chess fraternity.
That same round will pit veteran, Bob ‘the beast’ Bibasa against IM Elijah Emojong in a highly anticipated clash. Emojong earned his IM title aged 20, fourteen years ago, and it was the very first in East Africa.
Emmanuel Musasizi will get his campaign underway against Richard Kato while Mark Nyola Wasswa and Rajab Kamoga will take on Abdul Shakur Wagodo and Norman Magino respectively.
Ladies Section Heats Up: Top Rivals and a Legendary Return
Sana Kayyar Omprakash against Patricia Kawuma will headline the event in the Ladies Section. The two finished as 1st and 2nd respectively in the Grand Prix standings, and will meet on board one.
Legendary WFM Ivy Amoko, a wildcard entry and arguably East Africa’s greatest chess lady, returns to face Safinah Mugide.
Peninah Nakabo, the country’s third ranked player squares off against Sarah Nakalyowa on board five, while Sheba Valentine Naisanga takes on WFM Gloria Nansubuga on board four.
Men’s Player pairings for round 1 and 2
Courtesy Photos
