International Master (IM) Elijah Emojong started his title defence in the Kawuma Open on a positive note with double wins.
Emojong who emerged champion last year had comfortable wins, beating Peter Kiberu and Samuel Edongot who are both unrated in the ongoing Kawuma Open.
His wins were however as good as finishing 8th as the first and second round ended with Fide Master Harold Wanyama leading the crosstable.
Wamyama who came second in both previous editions beat both Dennis Kibuuka and Richard Buyinza in the first two rounds. He however, needed a tie breaker to finish top given 16 other players won both their games.
“The aim is to win my 1st Kawuma Open,” the soft spoken Olympian told Kawowo Sports after his brilliant start “but it’s still too early to tell, and I have a critical game tomorrow as I play my fellow Olympian Farouk (Fauza)” Wanyama continued .
On the other boards, Patrick kawuma (whose family is the brain behind this event) won both his games as expected. Michael Owen Kibuuka seeded 43rd and Emmanuel Ewotu seeded 31 had no chance against the 2014 National champion.
The inaugural winner, Arthur Ssegwanyi as expected saw off his opponents in style. Dalton Kawunde and Rodgers Ntambi fell victim as the international master won both rounds.
The highlight of the open so far came in the second round on board 7 as unrated Caxton Kalule showed no respect to experience by beating Fide Master Rapheal Buti. The 37th seed had earlier beaten a lowly seed Ibrahim Waira.
Rated 2155, Kenya’s Candidate Master, Ben Magana outwitted his Ugandan opponents. Victory over Julian Manzi and George Gumikiriza saw him win the two rounds.
In the ladies category, the usual suspects showed up as expected. Women Fide Masters Claire Ivy Amoko, Goretti won both their games with exception of Christian Namaganda who lost the 2nd round to unrated Shakira Ampaire.
Phiona Mutesi and Gloria Nansubuga were the day’s other maximum winners.
Rwandan Kalisa Kaitesi Odile managed only a single victory after failing to outwit Uganda’s Mutesi.
The games resume tomorrow at Tick Hotel Kawempe, Kampala.
