(Press release courtesy of Uganda Chess Federation)
Leaders Arthur Ssegwanyi and Haruna Nsubuga settled for a hard fought draw in the seventh round to maintain their joint lead with 6 points apiece in the ongoing National Chess Championship games played at Hotel Africana this morning (Sunday, 13th November 2011).
Joint leaders: Arthur Ssegwanyi (left) takes on Haruna Nsubuga in a seventh round game that ended in a draw
The two surprise leaders are unbeaten after 7 rounds and settled for a draw in a tight game in which Ssegwanyi ended up with King and Rook as opposed to Nsubuga’s King and three connected pawns, which couldn’t advance to Queen as the opposing Rook cut them off with the King’s help.
Following closely is Farouk Fauza with 5.5 points after he upset Olympian Bob Bibasa in the seventh round.
Also upset in the seventh round was ex Olympian Harold Wanyama who lost to Mathias Ssonko to remain on 4 points and virtually out of contention for the top prize.
On the other hand, FM Elijah Emojong who missed the first two games has closed in on to the leaders after winning 5 straight games including the seventh round game against rising Daniel Baggadde to get to 5 points and in the running for the top position if he does well in the eighth round to be played later this afternoon.
The event’s winner will automatically qualify to be part of Uganda’s team at the next Olympiad in Turkey next year.
Eighth round games continue at 3 pm at Hotel Africana.