The National Chess League kicked off in style at Hotel Africana with 22 Clubs in action. Mulago Knights assumed an early lead after winning their first two matches by beating Kireka and BOU by a 5-0 respectively.
Four new clubs have joined the 2013 league while two have dropped out thereby increasing the number of Clubs in the league from 20 last year to 22. The new clubs are Rainbow International, Mulago Overs, Sanlam Chess Club and UCU Queens comprising of female Chess players from Uganda Christian Academy. Cornerhouse Chess Club and Uganda Chess Academy are the two clubs that dropped out.
Mulago Knights is trailed by defending champions DMARK with 9 points followed by newcomers Sanlam Chess Club and Lweza Kings each at 8 points.
DMARK beat Barclays Bank 5-0 and Makindye Chess Club 4-1 while Sanlam beat UCU Queens 5-0 and UCU Knights 3-2. Lweza Kings beat Mulago Overs 5-0 and Mengo 3-2. Aviation Chess Club beat Mulago Rooks 4-1 and lost 2-3 to City Chess Club. City had ealier beaten Rainbow International 3.5-1.5 in a match which produced a surprise in league debutante John .. beating Haruna Nsubuga on board one.
Mulago Kings beat MUBS 3-1 and Barclays 3.5-1.5 while Mulago Queens drew with MUK 2.5-2.5 and also drew with MUBS by the same margin.