The players to watch in the men’s category will include Edgar Ntende who caused a stir in the second phase.
It remains to be seen whether he can keep his cool and transfer his form into this testing 11 round event that will run over three consecutive weekends.
IM Arthur SSegwanyi, who has just been decorated with a Rotary Vocational Award will be seeking to cement his place as the country’s leading player while the likes of FM Harold Wanyama, Patrick Kawuma and Walter Okas are almost certainly expected to rise to the occasion.
In the ladies category, it is wide open but perennial contenders like WFM Grace Kigeni, Christine Namaganda, Goretti Angolikin and Phiona Mutesi are likely to set the pace.
They could face some competition from a rejuvenated Shakira Ampairwe, Gloria Nansubuga, Winnie Okoth and Joyce Kabengano.
The highlights of the ladies’ first round fixtures include Angolikin against Ampaire and Kigeni versus Okoth.
The Mutesi versus Nansubuga game in the second round will also be thrilling.
In the men’s category, there are a number of mouthwatering ties in the first four rounds including Wanyama versus. Bibasa, Kawuma versus. Ntende, Wanyama vs. Okas and Okas vs. Ssegwanyi among others.
Running concurrently with the Olympiad Qualifiers is a children’s holiday event, the Kampala Junior Chess Classic to also be held at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel over two days (February 6-7).
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