(Press release courtesy of Uganda Chess Federation)
National Chess League perennial title contenders, Mulago Kings Chess Club upstaged early pace setters, City Chess Club to get to the top of the standings leading by half a point after beating Makindye and Aviation 4-1 and 5-0 respectively to get to 25.5 points. Kings’ performances were inspired by Olympian Harold Wanyama, Grace Nsubuga, Kenneth Kakooza, Wilson Mugwanya and Deborah Katland Wanja.
On their part, second placed City Chess Club edged Mulago Knights 3-2 in a top of the table fifth round clash before hammering Mulago Queens 4.5-0.5 in the sixth round but this was not enough for them to remain on top as it put them at 25 points, a half less than Mulago Kings.
Another surprise performer is new club Uganda Chess Academy which is now in third position with 22 points after beating Barclays Bank 3.5-1.5 and Mulago Knights 4-1 in games played at Hotel Africana on Sunday 14th August 2011.
In other games, Mulago Rooks beat Mulago Pawns 3-2 and later Rooks lost to UCU Mukono in the 6th round. Enkabi beat UCU in the fifth round and drew with Makindye in the sixth round while Mengo beat Bank of Uganda 2.5-1.5 in the fifth round and lost to Barclays 0.5-4.5 in the sixth.
So far the revelation of the 2011 National Chess League is Barclays Bank’s employee and former Olympian Stephen Opio who is back with a bang after a six year lull but has started off from where he stopped by drawing two crucial games including one against Uganda Chess Academy’s former Olympian Emma Mwaka in the fifth round. He later on employed the French defense to mercilessly beat Mengo’s Olympian Bob Bibasa and inspired his Barclays Bank team-mates to a 4.5-0.5 win.
League standings after Round 6 are as follows:
- Mulago Kings CC – 25.5 points (game points)
- City CC – 25 points
- Uganda Chess Academy – 22 points
- Mulago Knights CC – 19 points
- Mulago Rooks CC – 17 points
- Makerere University CC – 15 points
- Kireka CC – 15 points
- Makindye CC – 14 points
- UCU – Mukono Knights – 13 points
- Mulago Queens CC – 13 points
- Mengo CC – 12 points
- Mulago Pawns CC – 12 points
- Barclays Bank CC – 11.5 points
- Enkabi CC – 11 points
- Aviation CC – 8.5 points
- Bank of Uganda CC – 4.5 points
More details on the Ugandan National Chess League 2011 can be accessed here.