Fide Master Patrick Kawuma wouldn’t have asked for a better start at the ongoing Zone 4.2 African Individual Chess Championships in Ethiopia.
After a flawless start at the annual event, the FM was handed an arduous task in the fourth round as he came face to face with the tournament favourite, Egyptian International Master Ameir Moheb.
The duo faced off on board one in the day’s only round, with both boasting of a spotless start and the match ended in a stalemate. Kawuma lost to Ameir last year in the African Individuals held here in Kampala, but the rated 2279 was able to avoid a repeat of that as he matched the IM.
Kawuma stayed joint top with 3.5 points, but slipped to third following Peter Gilruth victory over Ahmed Ali. The quartet of Gilruth, Ameir, Kawuma and Essam El Gindy are all tied on 3.5 points, but the Kenyan assumed the top stop on a tie-break.
FM Haruna Nsubuga recovered from his third round defeat to Ameir to beat Kenyan Sang Ricky as he moved a place up to seventh with 3points, while Joshua Katumba suffered his second loss of the competition as he lost to Ethiopian Candidate Master Fekadu Desalegn.
In the Women’s category, Woman Fide Master Ivy Clare Amoko’s hopes of winning the event were dealt a serious blow as she lost to Egyptian Woman International Master Wafa Shahenda. The result left Amoko a point and half off Shahenda who leads the standings with 4points.
Esther Penninah Nannozi finally ended the game on a winning side as she beat Ethiopia’s Mistere Mesfin, and Shakira Ampaire beat Ethiopian Feven Dawit.
The games return tomorrow with interesting duels in both categories.