Having missed the first three rounds due to delayed travels caused by financial difficulties, Uganda National Chess team finally managed to fly to Baku, Azerbaijan last Sunday for the World Chess Olympiad, and the country’s representatives haven’t disappointed a single bit.
Uganda beat Maldives 3-1 in the fourth round before seeing out Mauritius 2½:1½ in the subsequent round, and although they faltered against Myanmar in the sixth round, the country rallied back to defeat Angola 2½:1½ in round seven.
“We are really doing well,” said Fide Master, Harold Wanyama after guiding Uganda to a third victory on Friday. “I would say it’s 70%. The board four wasn’t going well but put in a good show today,” he praised.
On a personal level, Wanyama who endured a frustrating African Individual Chess tourney concluded recently in Uganda has registered a spectacular 4/4 showing, having outwitted all his four opponents and is on course to win a medal if he keeps the sterling performances coming.
Speaking particularly about his fourth win against Angola’s International Master [IM] David Silva a player who beat him at the Individuals, the 32 year old admits he “played badly at the individuals” but said “was more focused” hence the win.
The lanky soft spoken lad is the only player in the team to win all his four games and is the only East African who appears on the list of best players according to points.
He is expected to help the team overcome Morocco, Africa’s number three seed in their next round on Saturday.
