UG: Wanyama Closes Gap on Emojong in Olympiad Qualifiers

Text: Uganda Chess Federation
Photo: Ivy Amoko

Olympian Harold Wanyama was the star performer in the ongoing World Chess Olympiad qualifiers on Sunday, 6 May 2012 after he won two games against Daniel Baagadde and Rajab Kamoga to get to 7.5 points, half a point behind leader FM Elijah Emojong.

On his part, Emojong who had a 2 point lead prior to the last two games saw his lead cut to half a point after he drew with Kamoga in the ninth round and lost to Haruna Nsubuga in the tenth round.

With a round to end the Qualifiers, Emojong is the only player certain of qualification leaving three slots up for grabs between Wanyama, Kawuma Patrick, Nsubuga, Bob Bibasa and Kamoga.

In other tenth round games, Kawuma beat Mawanda Micheal to get to third position with 7 points with good chances of making the team. Shadrack Kantinti beat Farouk Fauza, Bibasa beat Kenneth Kakooza as Vianney Luggya drew with Baagadde.

The last and final decisive round will be played on Saturday, 12 May 2012 with interesting battles featuring Wanyama against Nsubuga and Emojong against Kawuma.

Men’s Pairings/Results:

Round 9

1. CM Bibasa Bob Gilbert (1) – (0) Luggya Vianney
2. Kakooza Kenneth (0) – (1) Kantinti Shadrack
3. Farouk Fauza (0) – (1) CM Kawuma Patrick
4. Mawanda Michael (0) – (1) Nsubuga Haruna
5. FM Emojong Elijah (0.5) – (0.5) Kamoga Rajab
6. Wanyama Harold (1) – (0) Bagaade Daniel

Round 10

1. Luggya Vianney (0.5) – (0.5) Bagaade Daniel
2. Kamoga Rajab (0) – (1) Wanyama Harold
3. Nsubuga Haruna (1) – (0) FM Emojong Elijah
4. CM Kawuma Patrick (1) – (0) Mawanda Michael
5. Kantinti Shadrack (1) – (0) Farouk Fauza
6. CM Bibasa Bob Gilbert (1) – (0) Kakooza Kenneth

Men’s Standings After Round 10:

1. FM Elijah Emojong – 8 points (out of 10)
2. Harold Wanyama – 7.5 points
3. CM Patrick Kawuma – 7 points
4. Haruna Nsubuga – 6.5 points
5. CM Bob Bibasa – 6.5 points
6. Rajab Kamoga – 6 points
7. Shadrack Kantinti – 5 points
8. Farouk Fauza – 4 points
9. Kenneth Kakooza – 3.5 points
10. Daniel Bagaadde – 3 points
11. Vianney Luggya – 2 points
12. Micheal Mawanda – 1 point

In the ladies category, four people are tying at the top with Ivy Amoko, Goretti Angolikin, Phiona Mutesi and Rita Nsubuga all on 8 points. Christine Namaganda is closely following with 7.5 points and waiting to sneak in should any of the four at the top falter in the last round.

Round 9: Kenyange Cathy v/s Nakayima Vanessa (left); Nansubuga Gloria v/s Ivy Amoko (right)

Ladies’ Pairings/Results:

Round 9

1. Angolikin Goretti (1) – (0) Kanayiwa Irene
2. Babirye Stella (0) – (1) Mutesi Phionah
3. Wanja Deborah (0) – (1) Namaganda Christine
4. Nakimuli Joan (0) – (1) Nsubuga Ritah
5. Nansubuga Gloria (0) – (1) Amoko Ivy Claire
6. Kenyangye Cathy (0) – (1) Nakayima Vanessa

Round 10

1. Kanayiwa Irene (1) – (0) Nakayima Vanessa
2. Amoko Ivy Claire (1) – (0) Kenyangye Cathy
3. Nsubuga Ritah (1) – (0) Nansubuga Gloria
4. Namaganda Christine (1) – (0) Nakimuli Joan
5. Mutesi Phionah (1) – (0) Wanja Deborah
6. Angolikin Goretti (1) – (0) Babirye Stella

Ladies’ Standings After Round 10:

1. Mutesi Phionah – 8 points (out of 10)
2. Amoko Ivy Claire – 8 points
3. Angolikin Goretti – 8 points
4. Nsubuga Ritah – 8 points
5. Namaganda Christine – 7.5 points
6. Babirye Stella – 4.5 points
7. Kenyangye Cathy – 4 points
8. Nakimuli Joan – 3.5 points
9. Nansubuga Gloria – 3 points
10. Wanja Deborah – 3 points
11. Kanayiwa Irene – 1.5 points
12. Nakayima Vanessa – 1 point