Fide Master Haruna Nsubuga is convinced his ‘super form and experience’ will deliver him the coveted International Master [IM] title ahead of the Zone 4.2 African Individual Chess Championships that get underway on Saturday at Central Hotel, Jimma in Ethiopia.
The Zonal Championships have strengthened Nsubuga in the last couple of years. After missing the FM title by ½ a point in 2015, the rated 2163 made sure of an upgrade last year in Tanzania as he earned the third highest title in the game after he amassed six points at the annual event.
Heading into this year’s edition that is hours away from commencing, Nsubuga, who won the league with Kireka and the inaugural Equity Open last year in December in Kenya, is adamant he will follow in the footsteps of his fellow Ugandan IM Arthur Ssegwanyi who remains the only East African to ever win the championship.
“I have no fears at all,” proclaimed Nsubuga in an interview with Kawowo Sports.
“I have been here more than any Ugandan so I think it is time my experience yielded something, and also my super form. I think I’ve been performing really well against strong opponents. When you look at my performances from the last three tournaments and also in the league and most recently in the Qualifiers, I think I’ve been doing well. It is long since I lost a game in a tournament or the league so I believe my chances are really high this time.
“The Egyptians are obviously going to be there, but so are the Ethiopians who I believe are strong too and so are we [Ugandans]. Personally, I won’t really mind who the opponent is because I have seen it all.
“I know I have what it takes to win it. I feel confident and I feel mentally prepared,” he added.
Nsubuga will be making his fourth appearance at the Zonal Championships, and together with five others including his fellow FM Patrick Kawuma, Joshua Katumba, Ivy Clare Amoko, Shakira Ampaire and Penninah Nannozi, Uganda will be represented by six players.
The sextet travels Saturday morning at 3am aboard Ethiopian Airways.