Fide Master Patrick Kawuma’s real test at the Zone 4.2 African Individual Chess Championships starts on Tuesday afternoon in the fourth round.
The FM comes face to face with Egyptian International Master Ameir Moheb on board one, with both players enjoying the tournament’s bragging rights as both boast of a perfect start.
Kawuma won all his first three rounds, but were against players rated below him, and now the real challenge comes with Ameir who is ranked above him, and who has already downed one Ugandan in the competition.
The North African beat Haruna Nsubuga in the 3rd round, and together with his fourth round opponent, remain the only two players in the Open section with a perfect record.
The two players met at the African Individuals hosted here in Kampala last year, and the Egyptian triumphed. How Kawuma intends to avoid a repeat of that remains to be seen.
In other selected games, Haruna Nsubuga faces Kenyan Sang Ricky on board four, while Joshua Katumba takes on Ethiopian Candidate Master Fekadu Desalegn.
Like Kawuma, Woman Fide Master Ivy Clare Amoko, faces a stronger opponent in Egypt’s Woman International Master Wafa Shahenda. Shahenda leads the Women’s section with 3points collected from three games.
Amoko is Uganda’s genuine hope for glory in the Women’s category, and she goes into Tuesday’s game with 2.5 points. Victory for her will see her assume the lead.
Looking to bounce back from defeat will be Shakira Ampaire as she meets Feven Dawit, while Esther Penninah Nannozi will hope for a positive result against Mistere Mesfin, her board nine opponent.
