Woman Fide Master Christine Namaganda probably did not expect a dawdling start at the ongoing Commonwealth Chess Championships in New Delhi, India when she spoke of posting ‘great results’ prior the tournament.
A confident Namaganda said “I need this commonwealth medal” hours to her flight, but albeit so soon to conclude, things don’t look splendid for Uganda’s only representative at the annual event.
Namaganda, rated 1565 by FIDE and ranked 106 at the championships is yet to savor her expedition in Asia perhaps because she hasn’t been lucky to be pitted against those rated below her.
The WFM was paired against India’s WFM Cholleti Sahajastri rated 2119 and ranked 48th at the tourney in the first round, and Saranya Y [1859] in the second round and lost both games. This has dropped her three places below her starting rank and far-off from the rewarding positions
It is too early to draw conclusions though. Seven more rounds to go. She will be in dire need of victory when she gets on board later today against South Africa’s Candidate Master Aron Klevansky in the third round as she tries to actualize her dream.
Both players are in the same basket as none has won a single game.
