A few days ago when Fide Master Haruna Nsubuga lost to Egyptian International Master Ameir Moheb in the third round of the Zonal Championships, majority of local chess followers wrote him off.
It was early days, but it was understandable. Seeing how stiff the competition was atop, it was hard to believe Nsubuga would get back into contention.
How things change! Fast forward to Friday and Uganda’s hopes for glory now shift to the 25-year-old. After his loss, the rated 2163 bounced back in style as he beat Ricky Sang and Ethiopia’s Candidate Master Fekadu Desalegn in the subsequent rounds, and was on a winning side yesterday against Abera Aydagnuhem Gezachew in the sixth round.
That victory coupled with Patrick Kawuma’s loss saw him rise to the top. Nsubuga is now joint top with 5 points.
Kawuma had a dream start to the competition. With four wins out of five including his victory over Kenya’s No.1 seed Peter Gilruth, the rated 2279 was on the driving seat. However, the Olympian stumbled yesterday in the sixth round as he lost to Egyptian Grandmaster Essam El Gindy – his first loss in Ethiopia.
While only ½ a point separates him from the top two, the loss risks his chances of winning the event with the games getting tighter each passing round.
With his victory against Yirga Ngussie Mitiku in the sixth round, Joshua Katumba is within a point of attaining the Candidate Master title. Katumba sits eighth with four points to his name.
Things are far from attractive in the Women’s category. Woman Fide Master Ivy Clare Amoko suffered her second loss of the competition. The No.1 chess lady in East Africa lost to another Egyptian, Woman International Master Elansary Eman, ending her hopes of a winning the event.
Shakira Ampaire kept her hopes of attaining the Woman Fide Master title alive with victory over Beyene Teklu Masho. Ampaire now needs 2.5 points to achieve her dream.
