Defending champion, Harold Wanyama was among the first players to register but is expected to be given a run for his money by Arthur Ssegwanyi, former Olympians Grace Nsubuga, Bob Bibasa and Kenneth Kakooza who have already registered to participate in the event.
The National Chess Championship will also double as the first phase of the Olympiad Qualifiers and the winner will on top of becoming National Champion automatically earn a slot on the team to represent Uganda at the next World Chess Olympiad due to be held in August 2012.
The Olympiad qualification incentive has given many top players the impetus to play well in this event.
The top thirty (30) players in the National Chess Championship will qualify to proceed to the second phase of the Olympiad qualifiers to be held early next year.
The ladies challenge will be led by onform Christine Namaganda, Ivy Amoko, Goretti Angolikin, Grace Kigeni and Phiona Mutesi among others.