There’s not been a great opportunity for Ugandans to triumph outside their homeland at the Zonal Championships than it is this year.
With only four Egyptians [two of which are lowly rated than any Ugandan in the Open category] taking part in the competition, Fide Masters Patrick Kawuma and Haruna Nsubuga’s chances of winning the event are as high as that of International Master [IM] Moheb Amier – the Egyptian ranked No.2 in the competition.
Grandmaster Essam El Gindy comes ranked No.1 in the event, but despite being the highly rated player at the competition; the GM has lost his magic largely due to age.
Like it is this year, the 51-year old entered the 2015 edition hosted here in Kampala ranked No.1, but finished a disappointing fifth with 5.5 points, and with 6.5 points collected last year at the African Individuals, he came fifth.
With his experience, El Gindy remains a threat to Ugandans, but the real threat is his countryman, Amier. The Egyptian comes with a rating of 2409 and unlike El Gindy who has represented his country in four successive world cups, Ameir will be eager to win the event as it’s a direct ticket to this year’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia.
Kenya’s leading chess player Peter Gilruth who is ranked number four in the event may as well fancy his chances, but where there is a Ugandan, Kenyans have always played the second best.
Rated No.3 at the championship, Kawuma opens the tournament with a date against Ethiopia’s Abel Mathewos Tilahun in the first round; while Nsubuga meets another native Akmel Nesru Beshir on board six and Joshua Katumba will have Mohammed Abasimel Naji to face.
In the ladies section, it’s an-all Ugandan affair as Woman Fide Master Ivy Clare Amoko meets Shakira Ampaire on board three.
Esther Penninah Nannozi faces a stronger opponent in Kenya’s WFM Deshpande Sanjana Satish.
