(Article courtesy of Uganda Chess Federation)
2010 Rwabushenyi Memorial Chess Champion Elija Emojong and fast rising youngster Rajab Kamoga are unbeaten after four rounds and leading with each having four points out of four games played in the East Africa Chess Championship at Hotel Africana. The event featuring players from Uganda and Burundi ends on Monday 25th April 2011.
To get to 4 points, Emojong beat Zabasajja Memorial champion Simon Gonza as Kamoga beat Olympian Shadrack Kantinti in the fourth round. Following closely on 3 points is Olympian Harold Wanyama who drew with fellow Olympian and defending champion Patrick Kawuma after a tactical endgame in which both sides had advanced queening pawns with a Rook and Queen still on the board.
Also still in contention is Burundi’s Muheto Deudone at 3 points after beating Phillip Kabagambe. Olympian Bob Bibasa drew with Farouk Fauza and the two are both closely trailing the leaders at 3 points each. Arthur Segwanyi and Joe Kaamu are the other players on 3 points
In the Ladies category, Christine Namaganda is leading with 3.5 points out of 4 after beating Olympian Joan Butindo in the fourth round. Fifth and sixt round games continue on Easter day before the event ends on Easter Monday.
Elsewhere in the Fr. Grimes National Schools’ Chess Championship going on at Busoga College Mwiri, defending champions St. Mbuga Vocational are in an early lead in both the boys and girls categories. Five schools with nine teams in the boys event are participating. In the first round, St. Mbuga A beat Mwiri B 4-0, Mwiri A beat Jinja College B 3.5-0.5 while Jinja College A lost 0-4 to St. Mbuga Vocational B. SOM Academy beat Watoto 3-1. St. Mbuga A is therefore leading with 4 points followed by hosts Mwiri A at 3.5 points.
In the girls category, Hope Senior School lost 1-3 to St. Mbuga A while St. Mbuga B lost 0.5 – 3.5 to SOM Academy.