Uganda’s Harold Wanyama was on top of his game in the third round of the Africa Individual Chess Championship in which he beat a South African FIDE Master Klaasen Calvin Jong (rated 2180) after a slow start in the opening moves.
While the opponent’s rating of 2180 appears dismal in comparison to Wanyama’s 2241, the young South African was a big threat considering his playing style and the manner in which he conquered Egyptian Grandmaster Adley Ahmed in the first round before drawing with Nigeria’s CM Kigigha Bomo (2291) in the second round.
Indeed it wasn’t long in the game, before the South African’s talent showed as he had the better of Wanyama in a Sicilian Najdorf and gained an exchange but the Ugandan dug deep to eke out a much needed win in an interesting game.
In round four due to be played today, Wanyama faces yet another South African in IM Van Den Heever Donovan (rated 2286) with the Ugandan having the white pieces.
Leading the event after the three rounds is Egyptian IM Ali Farahat with 3 points. Wanyama has 2.5 points out of 3. Farahat was due to face off with Zambia’s FM Richmond Phiri in the fourth round.
Kenya’s CM Ben Magana had a fine run out by beating Ghana’s Anquandah Francis Eric (1952) in the third round. Magana is now due to face off with Malawi’s Chimthere Alfred Charles (2006) in the fourth round.