July 2016 presented Uganda with a unique opportunity. The Chess fraternity watched with great anticipation as Uganda hosted not just any African Individual Chess Championship, but the first in the East African region.
Uganda was in a new territory, hosting the biggest Chess event on the continent and what a successful and competitive event it was!
To borrow Vianney Luggya’s (president of Uganda Chess Federation) words, ‘it was a demonstration of tight competition and high level of play.’
Micheal Nguele, Luggya’s equivalent in Cameroon couldn’t agree more.
Although the story was a success, there was talk of small winnings.
While a total of $19400 was the biggest prize money given out in the Federation’s history, it was way smaller than $33450 Egypt parted with last year, or the $27500 given out by Namibia (a country ranked 82 places below Uganda in the FIDE rankings) in 2014.
According to some members of African Chess Confederation, Uganda should have done better than that.
Well, it all comes down to funding. Like it is with other sporting events in the country, there was limited funding. The Federation received only eight million shillings from the Government.
Nonetheless, the curtains were brought down last Tuesday without any hitch.
Egypt’s Hesham Abdelrahman emerged champion in what many believe was “the most competitive edition ever” hence handing the North Africans their fifth active Grand Master.
In the buildup to the event, there was a lot of positive energy coming from the host’s camp. “We shall do a Leicester on them” were FM Harold Wanyama’s words prior to the tournament when he landed on the list of Egyptians honoring the event.
Having finished ninth in 2014, the 34 year old made his intentions clear, the title was the target. Of course IM Arthur Ssegwanyi had a similar aspiration.
However, reality checked in when the games started as Wanyama faltered earlier than expected in the second round, and Ssegwanyi failing to maintain his pace.
While the other competitors especially the Egyptians proved too strong for anyone’s liking, one thing for sure is the local representatives were not mentally prepared. Wanyama’s loss to lowly rated Farouk Fauza and James Panchol Madol was a clear indication of lack of concentration, inadequate training and perhaps complacency.
On the closing day, FM Patrick Kawuma admitted that he realized he was not “ready” for the games when he learnt of how much time and effort his competitors invested in in an attempt to improve themselves prior to the event. For the number four seed in the country, it was a sign of lack of adequate practice and seriousness.
Ahead of the Olympiad in Baku Azerbaijan in September, early preparation, dedication and sufficient training is paramount if any of Uganda’s representatives is to achieve encouraging results.
Zambia’s Andrew Kayonde is attestation to what a devoted and committed mind can achieve. Last year in Egypt, Kayonde came 12th with 4.5points, a result that disappointed not only him but his country at large. Fast forward to 2016 and he emerged the best player in the tournament albeit losing the title.
In spite of the Egyptians’ tactical approach, the 28 year old astonishingly beat two GMs, Adly Ahmed and El Gindy Essam before drawing with another GM Samy Shocker. He however lost to the eventual winner Hesham, but that’s a loss he took with pride.
To achieve this, it took Kayonde months of intense training and hours of dedication. “I started training and preparing for this tournament six months ago and in a day, I’d spend five to six hours on board,” Kayonde said on the final day.
For the Zambian, the return was overwhelming. “I lost the title but I’m proud of myself. The determination and effort I put in paid off.”
While the ultimate target was the title, returning home as an International Master (Zambia’s only IM currently) was a great feat.
Given their undeniable talent, Ugandan players ought to learn a thing or two from the Zambian if success is to come their way.
Far from the targets set, Ssegwanyi and Wanyama finished ninth and eleventh respectively. Kawuma another player Ugandans banked on for a decent result settled for the tenth place with Rajab Kamoga, Farouk Fauza and Simon Gonza finishing 18th, 22nd and 23rd respectively.
In the ladies category, WFM Goretti Angolikin finished the highest (16th) while, WFM Christine Namaganda, Joyce Kabengano, Shakira Ampaire, Gloria Nansubuga and Stella Babirye came 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd respectively.
